“Corona Vaccine Vaccination Target for Second Half of Next Year … Discussing Vaccine Acquisition with Phase 3 Companies” :: Gyeongnam Newspaper

Amid clinical trial results showing that the vaccine being developed by the US pharmaceutical company Pfizer and the German Bioentech is effective in preventing infection by the new coronavirus (Corona 19), the government is working to target vaccination. national in the second half of next year if a vaccine is developed. He announced that he would do a good preparation.

Joon-Wook Kwon, Vice Head of Corona 19 Briefing [연합뉴스 자료사진]

In a regular briefing on the 10th, Kwon Joon-wook, chief of the second vice president of the Central Defense Response Headquarters (Bang Dae-bon), responded to a related question: “We get vaccines through international organizations and (at same time) we report side effects in other countries, and work with national experts on vaccination strategies “If you want to complete various systems, such as looking after cold chains (low temperature distribution) while checking and supplementing, you will be insured after the second trimester of the next year”.

He added: “Once we aim for this, we have to prepare in a practical way. What is more important than development is to introduce it and control adverse reactions after vaccination,” he added.

Deputy CEO Kwon said: “Results from Pfizer’s separate clinical trials will be announced separately and if that happens, some countries will judge whether vaccination will begin this year. I’m doing it, “he added.

However, the Kwon deputy director expressed a cautious position, saying that Pfizer’s clinical results are not final, so we must remain vigilant until the trial is completed.

He said: “I am interested in how the effect by age group has been achieved, especially in the group with a high mortality rate in their 60s and over and with an underlying disease, and if the amount of virus released after receiving the vaccine has decreased. It is also a very important issue, “he explained.

The government is following a ‘two-way strategy’, which is contracted individually with global pharmaceutical companies, while strengthening international cooperation to quickly secure the Corona 19 vaccine if it is developed.

In this regard, the deputy general director Kwon said: “Our country sent a confirmation letter to the COVAX facilities on the 9th of last month and paid an advance to ensure the Corona 19 vaccine next year, which represents 20% of the total population. “. The Pfizer vaccine) is also a candidate for our election. “

He also said: “We are at the end of our efforts to secure the corona19 vaccine through bilateral consultations with some global pharmaceutical companies. We are talking and seriously discussing with all the institutions that are entering phase 3 clinical trials.”

The vaccines that Pfizer is developing are known to require distribution and storage below -70 degrees Celsius.

Regarding this, Deputy Director Kwon said, “Because the vaccine is virtually ineffective other than at low temperatures, I think a rather complex preparation process, sophisticated simulations, and even repeated education and training may be required.”

The photo shows Pfizer Pharmaceutical Korea in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 10th. [연합뉴스]

Meanwhile, in Korea, clinical trials are underway for COVID-19 antibody and plasma therapy.

According to Bang Dae-bon, 11 clinical trial participants are registered with 12 medical institutions for the treatment of the blood system, and 51 participants (10 domestic participants and 41 foreign participants) are registered with 17 medical institutions for the treatment of antibodies.

The targets for clinical trials of blood system drugs and antibody treatments are 60 and 300, respectively.

Deputy Director Kwon responded to criticism that participation in national clinical trials was low: “Through the Pan-Government Support Committee for Treatment and Vaccine Development, we are working hard to create the conditions for the voluntary participation of confirmed patients and medical institutions. We are discussing design tips, etc. “

Daebon Bang announced that people who recovered after receiving a confirmed diagnosis in Daegu regarding the development of drugs for the blood system will donate plasma for three weeks starting on the 16th.

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