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As the national influenza vaccine was confirmed to have been exposed to room temperature during the distribution process, the influenza vaccination project scheduled for the 22nd day was suspended for two weeks. Experts note that the flu vaccine, which must be shipped in a refrigerated state, loses efficacy when exposed to room temperature and can become a “water vaccine.”
In the online medical community, stories from the experience that Shinsung Pharm, a drug distributor in charge of distributing influenza vaccines for national vaccines, delivered the vaccine in a paper box instead of a refrigerator. Some of the boxes containing the flu vaccine were left on the ground during transport and exposed to geothermal heat.
If the KCDC investigation confirms that there is a problem with the efficacy and safety of the poorly distributed vaccine, up to 5 million of the 12.59 million national flu vaccines this year could be discarded as is. In this case, it is anticipated that Shinsung Pharm will not be able to avoid legal liability.
Shin Sung Pharm Chairman Kim Jin-moon admitted that there were some problems in the distribution process, saying, “There were some problems in the transportation process by the vaccine distributor who provided the service,” in a telephone interview. with our magazine on the evening of the 22nd. President Kim said, “I am sorry to the people and actively cooperate with the investigation and future actions of the KCDC.”
Q: Shinsung Pharm is reported to be in charge of vaccine distribution for the first time this year and there is a lot of immaturity.
President Kim Jin-moon (hereinafter “Kim”): This is the first time that I was in charge of distributing a vaccine for national vaccination this year. However, in the past, a vaccine manufacturer had a private business delivering vaccines to a hospital. Of course, this is the first time that a large volume of more than 10 million people has been handled.
Q: Why did you suddenly enter the tender this year after failing to distribute public quantities?
Kim: Until then, the public supply of vaccines was run by vaccine distributors, which are smaller than ours. However, as these companies participated in bid setting last year, it was difficult to properly participate in this year’s tender. Additionally, the volume of national influenza vaccination projects increased this year due to the corona crisis. So it was determined that it was profitable even if a large-scale company like us was in charge.
Q: Some people argue, “Since Shinsung Pharm has been guaranteed the distribution of vaccines in public quantities in the future by high-ranking politics, was it not possible to jump into this distribution business?” There is also a story that he is from the same university as the head of Blue House A
Kim: I have never told such a story in my dreams. It is an unfounded rumor and an absurd story. In fact, it is unfeasible. It is true that he is from the same university as Mr A and knows the university’s alumni association. But I’ve never talked about business.
Q: There are reports that Shinsung Pharm delivered the vaccine to the hospital in a paper box instead of an ice box, against regulations.
Kim: There is a misunderstanding. Even when tens of thousands of vaccine vials come from vaccine manufacturers to our company, they are delivered in the form of paper boxes. No problem because it is transported by a refrigerated vehicle kept at 2-8 degrees. What we delivered in a paper box was delivered in a refrigerated cart, and when we arrived at the hospital, we put it in a container that contained refrigerant and delivered it to the medical staff. It doesn’t matter if you are exposed to that moment. By transporting it in a general truck instead of a refrigerated car, the refrigerant was placed in an ice box and delivered at a suitable temperature.
Q. There was a problem leaving the box with the vaccine on the ground and transferring it to a truck.
Kim: It’s true. The vaccine distributors who provided the service made some of those mistakes. For example, if the vaccine is delivered from Seoul to Gwangju, the 11-ton refrigeration truck will load the amount that goes to Jeonju in one go. When you go to Jeonju, the refrigerated one-ton trucks (from a service provider) are waiting, and then the large trucks share the amount, and the large trucks go to Gwangju and distribute the amount again. When going from a large truck to a small truck like this, it is necessary to put a pallet on the ground and place the vaccine on the ground so that the vaccine is not exposed to geothermal heat. However, there were problems with some companies that left the vaccine box on the ground or that the refrigerator car door was open.
Q. Have several distributors participated in this delivery?
Kim: Yes. To deliver large quantities nationwide, there must be more than 100 vehicles, but we don’t have them directly.
Q. When signing a service contract, was there any provision that requires me to comply with transportation regulations and request liability in case of violation?
Kim: In the contract, there is a provision to comply with the regulations that maintain 2-8 degrees during transportation, and there is also a provision that you can take responsibility for if this is broken. However, this should not have happened before holding the contractor liable. I apologize to the people. We will faithfully work on the investigation of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and prepare future action. We hope that the vaccines that were delivered will not have any problems, so the vaccination will be done without problems.
