First COVID-19 vaccine developed in South Korea begins shipping

The South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) announced the celebration of the first shipment of the first COVID-19 vaccine developed in the country (SKYCovione).

The Prime Minister, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health, the Vice President of SK discovery, the President of SKbioscience, the MP and congressmen, the Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, the Mayor of Andong City, and officials from the Ministry of Health, Korea Disease Prevention and Control Agency, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and local governments have attended the event.

SKYCovione, the first vaccine developed in Korea, obtained marketing approval from the MFDS on June 29 and batch release approval on August 26. The first shipment was made on August 30.

609,300 doses of the 10 million doses (the total amount of advance purchase) will be distributed sequentially to local communities based on the demand for vaccination.

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The SKYCovione vaccination is available to those over 18 years of age (for the unvaccinated, for their first and second vaccinations) from September 5 (Monday), visiting public health centers and some consigned medical centers.

Vaccination status can be checked by visiting the COVID-19 vaccination website (ncv.kdca.go.kr). The information about the “SKYCovione vaccination center” will be found in “vaccination status” as of September 5.

The reservation of the SKYCovione vaccine has started on September 1. Vaccination will start from September 13 (Tuesday).

609,300 doses of the 10 million doses (the total amount of the advance purchase) will be distributed sequentially to local communities based on the demand for vaccination

Clinical trials for the use of SKYCovione as booster vaccines are underway. Based on the consideration of the provisional result, the administration of SKYCovione as a booster is expected to take place around September.

2nd Vice Minister Lee Ki-il said, “The Korean government welcomes the development and shipment of Korea’s first COVID-19 vaccine, which is an important milestone for vaccine self-sufficiency and health security.”

Vice Minister Lee added, “The government aims to become a leading country in biohealth, proactively supporting our nation’s biohealth industry, building on the capacity gained from the COVID-19 pandemic, and stand ready to develop a vaccine and treatment in a timely manner when the future pandemic arrives.”