1.5 Trillion Won for Vaccine Introduction... KDCA's 2nd Supplementary Budget Confirmed at 3.608 Trillion Won

This Year's KDCA Total Expenditure Reaches 6.9481 Trillion Won

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on the 24th that it secured a budget of 3.608 trillion KRW through the second supplementary budget of this year.

With additional budget allocated for stable vaccination and strengthened quarantine response amid the fourth wave of COVID-19, the amount increased by 249.5 billion KRW compared to the original government proposal of 3.3585 trillion KRW.

First, 1.5237 trillion KRW was allocated for the rapid and sufficient procurement and introduction of COVID-19 vaccines. This includes the purchase cost of 40 million doses of Pfizer vaccines, which were additionally contracted in April due to international supply uncertainties and the expansion of vaccination targets to those under 18 years old. Also reflected were advance payments necessary for domestic and international vaccine contracts to be introduced in 2022 for booster shots and variant virus responses.

To accelerate vaccination in the second half of the year, an additional 295.7 billion KRW was allocated as national vaccination implementation support funds for COVID-19 vaccination conducted through private commissioned medical institutions. For efficient vaccination implementation, operating expenses (56.4 billion KRW) and medical personnel wages (155.7 billion KRW) were newly budgeted for a total of 282 vaccination centers, including the existing 267 centers and 15 newly established centers in the second half. Additionally, 16 billion KRW was allocated for compensation support for adverse reactions caused by COVID-19 vaccination.

COVID-19 quarantine response will also be strengthened. An additional 1.0739 trillion KRW was allocated to support COVID-19 diagnostic testing costs for screening clinics (public health centers, medical institutions), temporary screening clinics, and proactive testing to detect asymptomatic or mild infections early and prevent community spread. Furthermore, 271.6 billion KRW for living support expenses and 63 billion KRW for paid leave were secured to support stable living for hospitalized or isolated individuals who received self-quarantine notices due to COVID-19.

In addition, following the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, a budget of 47.1 billion KRW was reflected for the additional purchase of existing severe and moderate treatment drugs as well as the new procurement of oral antiviral treatments.

Moreover, 7.1 billion KRW was allocated to strengthen variant virus surveillance through expanded production and analysis of genetic sequence information and the introduction of variant PCR analysis methods. Also, 3 billion KRW was allocated for temporary support of activity expenses to boost morale and improve treatment for screening clinic and temporary screening clinic testing personnel due to the surge in diagnostic tests during the fourth wave.

As a result, the total expenditure scale of the KDCA this year increased from 3.3401 trillion KRW to 6.9481 trillion KRW.

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the KDCA, said, “With the supplementary budget confirmed by the National Assembly, we will prepare without delay to ensure its swift execution. We will do our best to strengthen COVID-19 spread prevention capabilities and ensure stable vaccine supply and smooth vaccination so that there is no shortage in the second half of the year.”