Jung Se-kyun Visits SK Bio Factory in Andong, "First Shipment of COVID-19 Vaccine Finished Products, Historic"

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is speaking while presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 response held at Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Office in Andong City on the morning of the 24th. 2021.2.24 Photo by Yonhap News

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 24th, "The first shipment of finished COVID-19 vaccines to be supplied to the public will be made from our company's vaccine production plant located in Andong, Gyeongbuk," adding, "Starting the day after tomorrow, the historic first vaccination will begin in our country."

On the same day, Prime Minister Chung chaired the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting at the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office in Andong, Gyeongbuk, saying, "We are finally taking the first step toward the long-awaited recovery of daily life." He also stated, "The government is thoroughly preparing every process from vaccine procurement to transportation, distribution, vaccination, and adverse reaction management so that the public can receive vaccinations with confidence," and added, "We ask the public to join this hopeful new journey to overcome COVID-19."

The CDSCH meeting was held in Andong, Gyeongbuk, where the SK Bioscience plant, which is entrusted with producing the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine, is located. A portion of the approximately 750,000 doses (1.5 million shots) of vaccines produced here will be shipped for the first time today.

Prime Minister Chung reflected on the past year of confronting the COVID-19 crisis, saying, "It has been exactly one year since we raised the COVID-19 crisis alert to the highest level, 'serious,' in February last year and launched the CDSCH system with the Prime Minister directly serving as the head for the first time." He continued, "At that time, Daegu and Cheongdo in Gyeongbuk were designated as special management areas for infectious diseases, and the first person to die from COVID-19 in Korea was a patient hospitalized at Cheongdo Daenam Hospital," adding, "The intense battle against the fierce attack of COVID-19 first fought by Daegu and Gyeongbuk became a great asset in the nationwide fight against COVID-19."

Prime Minister Chung urged, "Until the fight against COVID-19 ends, quarantine measures must become a natural part of daily life, like breathing," and requested, "All citizens, including the residents of Gyeongbuk, should not let their guard down and continue practicing quarantine in their daily lives."

Meanwhile, regarding the wildfires that occurred over the past weekend in Andong and Yecheon, Prime Minister Chung expressed deep gratitude, saying, "I deeply appreciate the efforts of Gyeongbuk public officials, the Korea Forest Service, the National Fire Agency, and military personnel who devoted more than 20 hours to firefighting," and added, "Relevant ministries and local governments should strengthen wildfire prevention and monitoring activities, including intensive spring publicity and crackdowns on illegal burning."