Ministry of Health and Welfare, MFDS, and KDCA Hold '2021 Work Report' via Video Conference... "Domestic Therapeutics to Be Deployed Next Month, Herd Immunity by November at the Latest"
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] On the 25th, President Moon Jae-in instructed during the '2021 Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Work Report' to "review measures to institutionalize compensation for losses within a financially sustainable range for small business owners and self-employed individuals whose operations are restricted or prohibited due to government quarantine measures" in response to COVID-19.
Regarding the prolonged COVID-19 situation, President Moon said, "The difficulties faced by the people are increasing. Although the economy is recovering rapidly, job recovery is slow, and the hardships of small business owners and self-employed individuals are intensifying," emphasizing that the ruling party and government, along with related ministries such as the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, should review solutions.
President Moon stated, "If the past year was a time of defense to block the virus through social distancing, from now on it will be a time of quarantine through vaccines and therapeutics."
President Moon predicted, "Starting next month, therapeutics developed by our companies will be deployed in medical settings alongside vaccines," and added, "We expect to achieve herd immunity by November at the latest."
President Moon urged, "Please pay special attention to transportation, storage, and distribution, and thoroughly prepare in advance so that citizens can receive vaccinations on designated days without having to wait in long lines."
He added, "Please prepare the vaccination order rationally and fairly based on scientific evidence to minimize risks and maximize effectiveness," and emphasized, "Even after vaccinations begin, quarantine measures must be firmly maintained and carried out simultaneously."
President Moon said, "Along with developing our own vaccines, please expand South Korea’s role as a vaccine production base and actively support the overseas advancement of domestically produced syringes and therapeutics that improve vaccination efficiency to further enhance the international status of K-quarantine."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety reported on early COVID-19 overcoming measures through 'detection + prevention + treatment.' The Ministry of Health and Welfare reported, "We will enhance testing and epidemiological investigation capabilities to quickly block infection spread, secure sufficient hospital beds and personnel, and restructure social distancing to maintain policy effectiveness while reducing public fatigue."
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated, "We will shorten review periods through pre-review and examination of vaccines and therapeutics, and thoroughly check safety through triple expert consultations (verification advisory group, review committee, final inspection committee)."
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said, "While maximizing the current 3T (Test-Trace-Treat) capabilities, we will secure sufficient vaccine supplies to achieve herd immunity by November and manage the vaccination process flawlessly with a customized cold chain covering manufacturing, distribution, and storage."
Professor Ki Mo-ran of the National Cancer Center emphasized during the discussion following the work report the need to establish a research institute functioning as a think tank for infectious disease and other disease policies and to activate research utilizing big data. Professor Yang Nan-ju of Daegu University suggested the necessity of establishing a community-integrated care system centered on social service centers and strengthening the capabilities of care workers.
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