[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in, who is visiting the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly, met with Albert Bourla, Chairman of Pfizer, on the 21st (local time) to discuss various vaccine cooperation plans between Korea and Pfizer, including securing additional vaccines for next year beyond the existing 30 million doses.
Also present at the meeting were Kwon Deok-cheol, Minister of Health and Welfare, Lee Soo-hyuk, Ambassador to the U.S., Nam Young-sook, Economic Secretary, and John Sellrip, Senior Vice President of Pfizer.
Since last year, President Moon has continued vaccine diplomacy by meeting with representatives of global pharmaceutical companies, starting with Moderna. With the successful meeting with Pfizer’s chairman this time, he has now met with the heads of all major vaccine developers except Janssen.
At this meeting, President Moon discussed securing additional vaccines for next year. In August, the government signed a contract with Pfizer to purchase 30 million doses of vaccines for use by Korean citizens next year.
President Moon and Chairman Bourla discussed plans to actively respond to uncertainties such as the continuous emergence of new variants by purchasing and supplying additional Pfizer mRNA vaccines beyond the existing 30 million doses, and agreed to continue cooperation to ensure smooth practical consultations.
In particular, President Moon emphasized the importance of early supply of vaccines for next year and requested Chairman Bourla’s active interest and support in this regard.
President Moon expressed gratitude for Pfizer’s special efforts to supply vaccines stably to Korea so far, evaluating that Pfizer’s unprecedented rapid development and production of the mRNA platform COVID-19 vaccine gave the world hope to overcome the pandemic. He also expressed appreciation for Pfizer’s active cooperation, which enabled the mutual exchange of vaccines between Korea and Israel. He also introduced Korea’s 'K-Global Vaccine Hub' policy and requested Pfizer’s support.
Chairman Bourla expressed gratitude for the Korean government’s efforts to overcome COVID-19 and expressed expectations for a strong partnership in the future. He also stated that Pfizer is accelerating not only COVID-19 vaccine development but also therapeutic development, and hopes to work closely with the Korean government to improve patient access to Pfizer’s therapeutics and vaccines.
President Moon stated that through vaccine diplomacy, he aims to promptly achieve a balance between vaccination, quarantine, and daily life, and establish Korea’s status as a leading country in overcoming COVID-19.
In the future, Korea and Pfizer plan to continue discussions on mutual cooperation.
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