Kim Kyunghak "Budget Waste in Flu Vaccine Bidding and Vaccination Process"
[Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Chang-won] Jeju Province has been criticized for purchasing influenza (flu) vaccines at a higher price than the government and other local governments, neglecting financial savings measures.
The Health, Welfare and Safety Committee (Chairman Yang Young-sik) of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Council resumed the 3rd meeting during the 387th extraordinary session on the 24th and received the 2020 major work report from the Jeju Provincial Health, Welfare and Women’s Bureau.
At this meeting, Assemblyman Kim Kyung-hak questioned the issue of the winning bid price for flu vaccines. Assemblyman Kim said, “The government’s winning bid price for vaccines is 8,700 won, but Jeju Province signed a supply contract at 15,600 won. This is even higher than Jinju City in Gyeongnam (13,900 won).” He added, “After the COVID-19 outbreak, many local governments competitively started free flu vaccinations, anticipating supply difficulties. However, Jeju Province responded late, resulting in budget waste.”
He continued, “Although there is room for vaccinations to be administered at public health centers, Jeju Province outsourced to private medical institutions, incurring an additional 19,000 won. This shows Jeju Province neglected financial savings measures, and the Jeju Provincial Council should also reflect on itself for failing to point out this issue and demand alternatives during the supplementary budget review process.”
In response, Lim Tae-bong, Director of the Jeju Provincial Health, Welfare and Women’s Bureau, explained, “We have been discussing vaccine supply issues with pharmaceutical companies for a long time, but the government’s delay in deciding the contract price caused the first bid to fail, delaying vaccine purchase.”
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