Samba CMO Moderna Vaccine Prototype Expected by End of Next Month
Kim Bu-gyeom "It Will Take Time for Actual Use... Collective Immunity Planned as Scheduled in November"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum stated on the 26th regarding the Moderna vaccine being contract-manufactured domestically, "It is Samsung Biologics and Moderna's plan, but it seems that the prototype will probably come out around the end of August or early September."
On the morning of the 26th, during KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs,' Prime Minister Kim said, "However, there is still time needed to produce the prototype and pass testing before it can be utilized." Earlier, Samsung Biologics had signed a contract manufacturing organization (CMO) agreement with Moderna to produce COVID-19 vaccines, planning to start production from the third quarter.
With vaccinations for people in their 50s starting from this day, regarding future vaccination plans, he said, "We will finish vaccinating those in their 50s by August, and from late August, we need to quickly start vaccinating all people aged 20 to 40." He added, "The goal is to complete the first dose by the end of September, and to finish the second dose by early November." Regarding the goal of achieving herd immunity through vaccinating 70% of the entire population by November, Prime Minister Kim emphasized, "(It is) going according to plan. There is no need to worry."
Additionally, he apologized concerning the escalation of social distancing measures due to the spread of COVID-19. Prime Minister Kim said, "I am sorry for repeatedly causing two weeks of hardship," and added, "If we reduce people's movement by 20%, it is expected that the peak will be reached around the end of this month and managed at a level of about 1,000 cases."
He continued, "There is also a pessimistic forecast that if we fail to control COVID-19 and continue as is, the number could reach about 2,000 to 3,000 cases by the end of August," and stressed, "There is an urgent need to pull the reins now to curb the spread."
Meanwhile, regarding criticism that the government's response was lukewarm toward the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) which held large-scale rallies on the 21st and 23rd despite the fourth wave, Prime Minister Kim said, "That is not the case," and emphasized, "Regarding the rally in early July (in Yeouido), officials are being summoned for investigation, and legal measures are being prepared if necessary."
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