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Pfizer and Moderna have decided to raise the price of the COVID-19 vaccine supplied to Europe. The Korean government explained that there will be no change in the price of vaccines imported this year, but that it is likely to affect the contract negotiations for next year.



This is reporter Kim Deok-hyeon.



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The price increase for vaccines supplied to Europe is 25% for Pfizer and 10% for Moderna.



It costs around 3,000 won to 6,000 won per serving.



The biggest reason for the sudden rise in vaccine prices is high preference.



This is because studies have shown that mRNA vaccines Moderna and Pfizer are more effective than AstraZeneca and Janssen, and the EU has restricted AstraZeneca and Janssen's vaccination targets due to concerns about side effects from thrombosis.



Due to the spread of the delta mutation, countries are pushing for booster vaccinations to those who have completed the vaccination, which also boosted the price increase.



Israel has started boosting vaccinations, and the UK has decided to start boosting vaccinations for people in their 50s and older from next month.



Pfizer and Moderna vaccines coming into Korea for the rest of this year total about 91 million doses, but the government said it would be introduced at the existing contract price.



However, it is predicted that the price may increase for next year's volume.



[Jung Eun-kyung / Director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Because detailed reviews and consultations are underway on the contract quantity, contract conditions, and which vaccine will be introduced and at what time… .]



It is argued that the introduction of various vaccines should also be considered in order to take the lead in negotiations.



[Ki-Jong Hong / Editor-in-Chief of the Korean Vaccine Society: In the current supply and demand situation, we cannot escape from the framework of existing vaccine companies (for other vaccines), so we can deliberate and consider it ourselves.]



Stable supply in the mid- to long-term For this, it is important to develop and secure a domestic vaccine.



(Video coverage: Kim Min-cheol, Video editing: Lee Seung-jin)  



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