Korea Pfizer: "Daegu City's Vaccine Introduction Promotion Is Not a Legal Proposal... Considering Legal Action"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Pfizer Korea has issued an official statement saying that the COVID-19 vaccine purchase proposed by Daegu City was not legally approved and that it is considering legal action.

Regarding the unofficial Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine purchase proposal recently reported in the media, Pfizer Korea released a statement on the 3rd, stating, "Pfizer holds the exclusive rights for import, sale, and distribution of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (Comirnaty) in Korea."

The company emphasized again, "Vaccines supplied through routes other than Pfizer Korea are unverified products," and "No third parties, including BioNTech, hold distribution rights within Korea."

It further explained, "The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is supplied only to central governments and supranational international organizations for national immunization programs during the pandemic," and "Neither Pfizer headquarters nor Pfizer Korea has authorized anyone to import, sell, or distribute the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in Korea, so the vaccine cannot be provided through intermediaries."

It added, "The proposal from the concerned company is not legally approved," and "It is understood that this is not an official transaction involving vaccines provided by Pfizer-BioNTech."

Pfizer Korea stated, "We are currently investigating the authenticity of this matter and, depending on the investigation results, we plan to consider possible legal actions against the related companies or individuals," adding, "We will also cooperate appropriately with relevant international investigative agencies during the investigation process."