<Anchor> The
government announced yesterday (23rd) that it has signed a contract to purchase a COVID-19 vaccine with two global pharmaceutical companies, Janssen and Pfizer. Inoculations for 6 million Janssen will begin in the second quarter of next year, and 10 million Pfizers will be vaccinated in the third quarter of next year.
This is reporter Kim A-young.
<Reporter>
Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun announced that the government signed a vaccine purchase contract yesterday at the Corona 19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting this morning.
[Sae-Kyun Jeong/Prime Minister: In giving reports to the public that a global pharmaceutical company Janssen and Pfizer have signed a COVID-19 vaccine purchase contract... .]
Janssen's Corona 19 vaccine was contracted for 6 million people, an increase of 2 million people from the original planned volume, and the vaccination is expected to start in the second quarter of next year.
In the case of Pfizer vaccine, he explained that it has signed a contract for 10 million people, and is expected to enter Korea from the third quarter of next year.
Prime Minister Chung said that specific negotiations are underway to advance the introduction of the Pfizer vaccine to within two quarters, and that national capabilities are being mobilized.
Prime Minister Jung emphasized that vaccinations have begun in the UK and the United States, and that the government will ensure that the Korean people can receive the vaccinations as soon as possible and with confidence while looking at the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.
From today, the day before Christmas, special measures for strengthening quarantine during the year-end and New Year are being applied, and Prime Minister Chung appealed to the public to join the 11-day pause.