Budget Cuts for COVID-19 Vaccines and Related Items... KDCA's Budget for Next Year Set at 2.947 Trillion Won

Front view of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. [Photo by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on the 24th that the budget for next year, approved at the National Assembly plenary session, is 2.947 trillion KRW.

Compared to this year's significantly increased budget for COVID-19 response, it has been reduced to about half. During the National Assembly review process, a total of 751.5 billion KRW was cut compared to the government's proposal.

First, the increased budget area is the management of adverse reactions after COVID-19 vaccination, which rose from 36.2 billion KRW this year to 69.5 billion KRW next year. To strengthen national responsibility, support for suspected related diseases and condolence payments for undetermined causes after autopsy will be expanded.

Additionally, 2.5 billion KRW was allocated for feasibility studies and design costs for the establishment of the National Cerebrovascular Center, and 1 billion KRW was included for the basic planning and design of a new technology vaccine process technology center to prepare for new and mutated infectious diseases. The budget for supporting rare disease patients was also finalized at 43 billion KRW.

On the other hand, the COVID-19 related budget was drastically cut. The COVID-19 vaccination budget will decrease from 3.2649 trillion KRW this year to 456.5 billion KRW next year. The KDCA explained that the purchase budget was adjusted due to the extension of the vaccination period for vaccines already secured. However, considering the uncertainty of the quarantine situation and the possibility of purchasing new variant-upgraded vaccines, a purchase budget for 15 million doses was reflected.

The COVID-19 diagnostic testing budget was also adjusted to actual needs by reducing the expected unpaid amount in the second half of the year, finalizing at 892.8 billion KRW, which is about 280 billion KRW less than the government proposal. However, the National Assembly resolved with an attached opinion that if additional expenses inevitably occur due to changes in the quarantine situation among the reduced projects, support can be provided through contingency funds for related projects.

The KDCA stated, "The budget was organized with a focus not only on stable COVID-19 response and management but also on enhancing the response system for infectious disease and chronic disease prevention to protect public health," and added, "We will thoroughly prepare to ensure the related budget is promptly executed and make every effort to ensure that projects proceed without any setbacks."