AZ Vaccine Supply Shortage... Janssen Leftover Doses Administered Only to Consenting Individuals

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Choyoung] As a large number of elderly people flock to pre-register for the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine, there are concerns that some registrants' vaccination schedules may be delayed. In response, the government announced that it will administer leftover Janssen vaccines only to those who consent.

Currently, the leftover AZ vaccine supply is about 510,000 doses short compared to the number of pre-registrants in June.

According to media reports such as SBS on the 9th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency sent an official letter to each entrusted medical institution instructing them to use low dead space (LDS) syringes to vaccinate leftover doses to pre-registrants aged 60 to 74. The government plans to maximize the use of LDS syringes, public health center supplies, and Janssen 'leftover vaccines.' However, since pre-registrants initially reserved the AZ vaccine, consent for Janssen vaccine administration must be obtained.

However, concerns have been raised that since Janssen vaccinations will begin immediately from the 10th, and each pre-registrant must be contacted individually to confirm their willingness and schedule the vaccination date, there may be many difficulties.

Hong Jungik, head of the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Team's Vaccination Management Team, said at a briefing on the 9th, "If leftover doses cannot be allocated to registrants and some individuals inevitably miss vaccination, the authorities will provide separate guidance and promptly reschedule their vaccinations."

He explained, "Since vaccine supply conditions may vary by region, if pre-registrants are unable to receive vaccinations, individual medical institutions will not arbitrarily cancel appointments. Instead, the authorities will collectively notify changes and reschedule vaccinations."

The authorities have requested that even if some vaccine shortages are expected at entrusted medical institutions, appointments should not be unilaterally canceled, and vaccinations should be administered as much as possible.