COVID-19 vaccines transitioned to NIP

Incorporating a government procurement model

5.3 million doses have been procured for 2025-2026

To minimize vaccine waste, vaccines nearing their expiration date during the project period can be exchanged

COVID-19 vaccines, which were previously contracted through a pre-purchase model with pharmaceutical companies, will transition to the National Immunization Program (NIP) system.

 

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on August 5 that it has signed a procurement contract for the supply of vaccines for the 2025-2026 seasonal COVID-19 immunization program.

 

Unlike the previous method (2020-2024), where contracts were signed through a pre-purchase model with pharmaceutical companies using full government funding, this COVID-19 vaccine contract was signed through a government procurement model, transitioning it to a local government-subsidyzed project (matching local government funds), which is the same as the existing NIP system.

 

The COVID-19 vaccines to be supplied to Korea for the 2025-2026 season are vaccines with the LP.8.1 strain, which have been recommended for use by the WHO (World Health Organization), EMA (European Medicines Agency) on May 16, and FDA (U.S.

 

Food and Drug Administration).

 

The decision was made by the Korea Expert Committee on Immunization Practices (KECIP).

 

The total vaccine volume to be procured is 5.3 million doses (3.28 million from Pfizer and 2.02 million from Moderna), and contracts were signed through their respective COVID-19 vaccine distributors (companies with exclusive sales rights) in Korea.

 

The domestic distributor for the Pfizer vaccine is HK inno.N, and Boryung Biopharma is the domestic distributor for Moderna.

 

Regarding this contract, the KDCA explained, "The COVID-19 vaccine supply contract in Korea was signed using a private contract method, rather than a competitive bid, to ensure stable supply.

 

However, based on a survey of local government demand, we incorporated price competitiveness elements and an additional reserve volume (5%) for each pharmaceutical company, aiming for both stable vaccine supply and budget savings." To minimize vaccine waste, vaccines nearing their expiration date during the project period can be exchanged to ensure continuous use throughout the vaccination period.

 

After the project concludes, remaining vaccines can be returned within a 5% limit of the contracted volume.

 

To minimize vaccine waste, vaccines nearing their expiration date during the project period can be exchanged to ensure continuous use throughout the vaccination period.

 

After the project concludes, remaining vaccines can be returned within a 5% limit of the contracted volume.

 

Meanwhile, Moderna announced that it will strive to protect high-risk groups aged 65 and over in Korea through the 2025-2026 seasonal NIP.

 

Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine has accumulated extensive real-world vaccination data in Korea, with approximately 29.18 million doses administered from the beginning of the pandemic until now, confirming its efficacy and safety.

 

According to a study conducted by the KDCA, the Moderna vaccine was found to have the lowest breakthrough infection rate among the vaccines used in Korea during the early stages of the pandemic.

 

Since 2021, Moderna has collaborated with Samsung Biologics to produce the only mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in Korea.

 

In addition, Moderna is making efforts to strengthen mRNA technology capabilities through various collaborations, including joint research on a vaccine candidate for Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) with the National Institute of Infectious Diseases under the KDCA, and a partnership with KAIST and Yonsei University K-NIBRT for training mRNA research talent.

 

Kim Sang-pyo, General Manager of Moderna Korea, said, "We are deeply grateful and find it meaningful that Moderna's efforts over the past few years to protect high-risk groups from the COVID-19 can continue through this year's NIP," and added, "As COVID-19 remains an infectious disease with a high severity rate, especially in adults aged 65 and over, we will put utmost efforts to protect more high-risk individuals in line with the government's vaccination plan."