Government: "No Review of Janssen Contract Change... Overseas Vaccine Contract Manufacturing in Korea in August" (Comprehensive)

"Not Reviewing Contract Changes for Virus Vector-Based Vaccines... Introducing Them Is What Matters Now"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Amid ongoing controversies surrounding blood clots linked to virus vector-based COVID-19 vaccines such as AstraZeneca (AZ) and Janssen, the government has stated that it is not considering contract changes for these vaccines. Additionally, as concerns over vaccine supply instability grow, it announced that a domestic pharmaceutical company is pursuing a contract for the consignment production of overseas-approved COVID-19 vaccines. If the contract is finalized, consignment production will begin in August, which is expected to reduce relative uncertainty.

Baek Young-ha, head of the government-wide Vaccine Introduction Task Force (TF) Vaccine Introduction General Team, said at the COVID-19 vaccine briefing on the 15th, "We are continuously monitoring the safety of virus vector-based COVID-19 vaccines with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Since the importation itself is crucial at this point, we are not considering contract changes."

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended halting the administration of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine due to reports of blood clots occurring in six individuals who received the vaccine. The AZ vaccine, which was previously embroiled in blood clot controversies, also uses an adenovirus-based virus vector method similar to the Janssen vaccine.

Regarding plans to alleviate vaccine supply concerns by contracting additional new vaccines such as the Russian vaccine, Baek said, "We are keeping various possibilities open and reviewing them without limiting ourselves to specific vaccines. The introduction of new vaccines will be reviewed while monitoring overseas trends concerning safety."

Furthermore, Baek stated, "A domestic pharmaceutical company is currently in the process of finalizing a specific contract for the production of an overseas-approved vaccine," adding, "The vaccine is scheduled to be mass-produced domestically starting in August." However, he was cautious about revealing which company or vaccine type is involved, saying, "Since it is a contractual matter, it is difficult to provide detailed information."

Baek also emphasized, "Although uncertainty is increasing worldwide due to vaccine supply instability, South Korea has relatively less uncertainty thanks to its domestic production base," and added, "We will proceed with the goal of achieving herd immunity by November without setbacks."