KDCA “All hands on deck to seek COVID-19 vaccine"

First Director of KDCA Jeong Eun-kyeong gives an address at the opening ceremony

“To reach the shore with everyone from this stormy sea”

The first director of Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Jeong Eun-kyeong stated the government agency would provide all possible support for seeking vaccine and treatment to completely overcome the COVID-19 crisis.

 

Also, she added the rare disease designation and R&D for disease testing and treatment would be expanded as well.

 

On Sept.

 

14, Director Jeong gave a celebratory address at the KDCA opening ceremony and vowed to fight against COVID-19 along with the people of South Korea.

 

The opening of KDCA was supposed to be on Saturday Sept.

 

12 according to the revised legislation, but instead the agency was officially opened on Monday.

 

Regarding the agency’s status elevation, Director Jeong expressed her commitment to serve the responsibility, as the change started with “the people’s grave wish and the government’s determination to overcome the COVID-19 as soon as possible, and to proactively prepare and thoroughly respond against such infectious diseases.” Moreover, Director Jeong stated the agency’s key goals—securing central and regional epidemiologic response and capability, taking responsibility as a comprehensive infectious disease control agency, reinforcing response against health risk caused by environmental changes, establishing aging society-related chronic and rare disease prevention program, strengthening future medicine R&D and personalized disease R&D in Korea National Institute of Health (NIH).

 

Specifically, the director said COVID-19 is a barrier that must be overcome, and that the agency is putting the best effort to support the development of relevant vaccine and treatment.

 

Director Jeong stressed, “Aiming to find Korean-made treatment and vaccine, the agency would reinforce collaboration with relevant companies and research institutes to accelerate the development procedure,” but also “the agency is to secure overseas COVID-19 vaccine in development to execute vaccination program as planned.” Additionally, the director said, “The rare disease designation would continue to expand, and relevant supportive policy would be strengthened,” and “Related R&D to develop testing and treatment would also be expanded.” The director concluded the address by saying, “Although we are still stranded in the middle of the stormy sea, I will be with all of you until we reach the shore safely as a new captain of the ship called KDCA, and as another sailor in the ship.”