7.55 million doses of new Covid-19 variant vaccine to be introduced in H2: KDCA

Around 7.55 million doses of the new Covid-19 variant vaccine, which can respond to pandemic variants, will be available in the country in the second half of this year.

The current stockpile comprises 5.23 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, 2 million doses of the Moderna vaccine, and 320,000 doses of the Novavax vaccine.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said Friday that it has secured 7.55 million doses of the new-variant Covid-19 vaccine for high-risk groups, including those 65 and older, for Covid-19 vaccinations in the forthcoming season.

"Based on the confirmed Covid-19 vaccine supply plan for 2024, we have negotiated with pharmaceutical companies and signed purchase contracts so that the vaccine can be introduced on time," the agency said. "We will introduce the vaccine without disrupting the vaccination schedule under the Covid-19 vaccination promotion plan."

The vaccine to be introduced is the new JN.1 vaccine, which was developed in response to the pandemic strain, and was decided after deliberation by the expert advisory council on Covid-19 vaccines and the expert committee on immunization, referring to the strains recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and others, considering the strain variants that are prevalent worldwide.

"We plan to continue consultations with pharmaceutical companies and relevant ministries to ensure the smooth introduction of the new vaccine so that Covid-19 vaccination for high-risk groups can be promoted safely and timely,” KDCA Commissioner Jee Young-mee said.