Supporting Rapid Vaccine Development During New Infectious Disease Pandemics
Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for the National Advanced Vaccine Development Center in Andong
Establishment of a Vaccine Candidate Library to Strengthen Korea's Pandemic Preparedness
The Korea National Institute of Health under the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced on June 12 that it held a groundbreaking ceremony for the 'National Advanced Vaccine Development Center' at the Bio General Industrial Complex (Vaccine Industry Cluster) in Andong-si, Gyeongbuk.
A bird's-eye view of the National Advanced Vaccine Development Center to be built in the Bio General Industrial Complex in Andong-si, Gyeongbuk. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency
The Advanced Vaccine Development Center was established in 2023 as an affiliated organization under the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency to support the securing of vaccines within 100 and 200 days, in accordance with the 'Mid- to Long-Term Plan for Preparing for New Infectious Disease Pandemics.' A total of 9.5 billion won was invested in the construction of the center, which will have one basement floor and two above-ground floors, with a total floor area of 2,005 square meters.
The center aims to contribute to rapid vaccine development by supporting vaccine research using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology and by establishing and distributing a vaccine candidate library (antigen bank). In particular, the vaccine candidate library is expected to become a key foundation for preparing for new infectious disease pandemics by systematically storing and managing promising vaccine candidates secured in Korea and distributing them to domestic research institutions and companies.
Lim Jaehwan, Director of the Advanced Vaccine Development Center, stated, "The groundbreaking of this center marks the first step toward revitalizing the vaccine industry cluster in Gyeongbuk and Andong, and strengthening cooperation in infectious disease response between the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and local governments."
Ji Youngmee, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, emphasized, "As global infectious disease threats continue, such as the recent resurgence of COVID-19 in neighboring countries like China and Thailand, and cases of avian influenza infecting humans in the United States and elsewhere, the Advanced Vaccine Development Center will serve as a core infrastructure for advancing Korea's pandemic preparedness and response capabilities. We will actively support the center so that it can establish itself as a contributor to vaccine sovereignty and global public health."
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