[Asia Economy Reporter Byun Seon-jin] The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has decided on June 2 to grant emergency use authorization for the Moderna vaccine 'Spikevax 2-dose', which can respond to the dominant Omicron variant in Korea. Emergency use authorization is a system that allows the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to permit manufacturers and importers to produce and supply medical products not yet approved domestically in situations of crisis such as infectious disease pandemics.
This vaccine is a bivalent vaccine whose main component is messenger RNA (mRNA) expressing antigens common to the initial COVID-19 virus and the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. It is intended for adults aged 18 and over who have completed the first and second primary doses.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety explained that the emergency use authorization was granted following the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's request for the introduction of this vaccine as part of the plan to expand additional Omicron-targeted vaccinations for COVID-19 prevention during the winter season.
The Ministry added that it will continue to strive to improve public health by safely and promptly supplying effective medical products necessary to overcome COVID-19 based on scientific knowledge and regulatory expertise.
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