Government Betrayed Again by Moderna... 2.8 Million Doses Short of Promised 7.01 Million Doses

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] Additional supplies of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine will be delivered. However, even including the newly introduced quantity, there is still a shortage of about 2.8 million doses compared to the amount promised by Moderna.

The COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team announced at 4:25 p.m. on the 5th that additional quantities of Moderna vaccine under individual contracts will be delivered. The additional vaccine supply totals 1,263,000 doses and is reported to be arriving at Incheon International Airport via flight KE8262.

The Moderna vaccines arriving on this day are part of the 7.01 million doses promised by the Korean government delegation during their visit to Moderna's headquarters in the United States. Earlier, when Moderna unilaterally notified that the August supply would be halved due to issues in their laboratory, the government formed a delegation and visited the U.S. headquarters on the 13th of last month to lodge a protest.

Moderna shipped 1,017,000 doses on the 23rd of last month, followed by 1,021,000 doses on the 2nd, and 905,000 doses on the 3rd. Including the additional supply arriving on this day, the total supply amounts to 4,206,000 doses, which is about 2.8 million doses short of the originally promised quantity from Moderna.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated in a briefing on the 3rd, "The supply timing of the Moderna vaccine is expected around this weekend or later," adding, "Sufficient quantities will arrive by the weekend." The Promotion Team also explained, "We will continue to consult with the pharmaceutical company to ensure the smooth introduction of Moderna vaccines going forward," and "We will provide guidance as soon as the shipment of subsequent supplies is confirmed."