210,000 Doses of AZ Vaccine Arrive in Korea... Supply Timing Earlier Than Expected

Some of the purchase volume through the 'COVAX Facility'... Additional supply of 980,000 doses by June

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the afternoon of the 3rd, 216,000 doses of the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine arrived. These doses will be used for vaccinations in the second quarter.

The AZ vaccine, which arrived at Incheon Airport at 2:30 PM on a Korean Air flight, is part of the quantity contracted through the international joint procurement project called the 'COVAX Facility.' This shipment was originally scheduled to arrive in the third week of this month, but the timing was moved up as administrative procedures were completed earlier than expected.

The total contracted amount with the COVAX Facility is 10 million doses, and this is the second shipment following 58,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine in February. Subsequently, 834,000 doses of the AZ vaccine are expected to arrive in April and May, and 148,500 doses of the Pfizer vaccine are scheduled for the end of June.

The government began vaccinations for seniors aged 75 and older starting from the 1st. By June, vaccinations will be carried out for essential personnel including special education teachers and health teachers, as well as people with disabilities, homeless individuals, flight attendants, dialysis patients, kindergarten and daycare teachers, first and second grade elementary school teachers, police officers, coast guards, firefighters, and military personnel.