Samsung and Other Large Corporations Change In-House Vaccination from Moderna to Pfizer

Measures According to Supply and Demand Situation
"Schedule to Proceed as Planned"

Image source=Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The COVID-19 vaccine that major domestic companies, including Samsung, had planned to administer to their employees at the end of this month has been changed from Moderna to Pfizer.

According to industry sources on the 19th, Samsung Electronics notified its employees on the same day that the vaccine used for workplace vaccinations for employees has been changed from Moderna to Pfizer.

Previously, Samsung Electronics had finalized the schedule last month to administer the Moderna vaccine to employees through on-site clinics starting from the 27th of this month. The target includes employees aged 18 to 59 and resident partner company staff at workplaces with on-site clinics such as the Suwon plant, as well as Gumi, Gwangju, Giheung, Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, and Cheonan.

However, due to the government's vaccine supply situation, it is known that Pfizer will be supplied instead of Moderna. A Samsung Electronics official said, "We recently received a notification from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency that the vaccine supply may be changed."

Not only Samsung affiliates but also other companies conducting workplace vaccinations for employees, such as LG Display, are expected to receive Pfizer vaccines instead of Moderna.

Some have expressed concerns that confusion may arise as vaccination schedules were announced internally and production schedules adjusted in workplaces with thousands to tens of thousands of employees working in two or three shifts, but the vaccine was suddenly changed. Since Moderna requires a 4-week interval and Pfizer a 3-week interval between the first and second doses, there are claims that the schedule may be disrupted.

Initially, companies announced plans to conduct the first dose from the end of this month to mid-August and the second dose from late August to mid-September. Regarding this, an industry official explained, "Only the type of vaccine has changed; the vaccination schedule will proceed as originally planned without any changes."

Previously, health authorities announced plans to promote company-led vaccinations at major production plants through on-site medical facilities such as affiliated clinics starting around August to accelerate vaccination speed and improve convenience. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency supplies vaccines and syringes to on-site clinics, which then administer vaccines according to their own plans.