'Domestic Arrival' Pfizer Vaccine Begins Delivery to Nationwide Vaccination Centers Amid Tight Security

Carefully Check Carbon Dioxide Levels and Temperature Before Proceeding

On the 26th, the initial shipment of Pfizer vaccines secured through the international vaccine supply organization 'COVAX facility' arrived at the Incheon International Airport Cargo Terminal in Yeongjongdo. The shipment received that day consisted of a total of 58,500 doses, and these vaccines are scheduled to be delivered directly to five central and regional vaccination centers without passing through the Pyeongtaek logistics center in Gyeonggi. Pfizer vaccine administration will begin the following day, on the 27th, at the Central Vaccination Center set up at the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Airport Press Photographers Group, Yeongjongdo

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, scheduled for administration starting on the 27th, has arrived in South Korea.

Korean Air flight A333, carrying Pfizer vaccines from Amsterdam, Netherlands, landed at Incheon International Airport at approximately 11:58 a.m. on the 26th. The shipment that arrived on this day is the initial batch of the 10 million doses contracted through the COVAX Facility.

The Pfizer vaccines were carefully transported under strict security upon arrival at the airport. Even before the vaccines arrived, the cargo terminal area was guarded by seven police patrol cars, four police motorcycles, and one armored vehicle. Police lines were set up along the vaccine vehicle's route, with two officers stationed at each point.

In front of the cargo terminal, five white trucks were parked, each destined for one of five nationwide vaccination centers. These vehicles were scheduled to deliver vaccines to the Central Vaccination Center at the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul; the regional vaccination centers at Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital, and Chosun University Hospital in Gwangju; and Keimyung University Daegu Dongsan Hospital. Notably, the first truck heading to the National Medical Center was two to three times larger than the other trucks.

About ten minutes after the aircraft landed, the lower cargo door opened, revealing vaccine containers measuring approximately 1 meter by 1 meter. Officials then brought a forklift dedicated to COVID-19 vaccines, checked carbon dioxide levels and temperature, and began unloading.

As an mRNA vaccine, Pfizer's vaccine requires storage at temperatures below minus 70 degrees Celsius and is sensitive to shaking. Therefore, the unloading process was conducted very slowly and carefully. An Incheon Airport official explained, "Unloading started from the rear of the aircraft. To maintain balance, containers placed for weight distribution must be removed from the back first to prevent tilting." During the removal of four containers holding the vaccines, staff repeatedly shouted "slowly" while adjusting the direction.

On the 26th, a vehicle carrying the initial batch of Pfizer vaccines secured through the international vaccine supply organization 'COVAX facility' arrived at the Central COVID-19 Vaccination Center at the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, escorted by military and police personnel. The shipment, totaling 58,500 doses, was delivered directly to five central and regional vaccination centers without passing through the Pyeongtaek logistics center. Pfizer vaccinations will begin the following day, on the 27th, at the National Medical Center's Central Vaccination Center. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The vaccines were divided among five transport vehicles and departed for each vaccination center starting at 1 p.m. Each vehicle was escorted by police motorcycles and several patrol cars.

Kim Un-young, Team Leader of Highway Patrol Team 3 at Incheon Police Agency, stated, "Today’s transport covers five regional hubs including Seoul. To ensure safe and flawless delivery without delay, we conducted joint rehearsals with related agencies. We will do our utmost to ensure that the vaccines, a matter of national interest, are transported without any issues until the very end."

Meanwhile, Pfizer vaccines will be administered from the 27th of this month through the 20th of next month to 54,498 workers at COVID-19 patient treatment hospitals. On the first day of vaccination, the 27th, 300 people?including 199 staff members at the National Medical Center’s Central Vaccination Center and 101 workers at COVID-19 patient treatment hospitals in the metropolitan area?are scheduled to receive the vaccine.