Moderna's COVID-19 Vaccine Receives Approval in South Korea

Strategic Insights -

A panel of medical experts has concluded that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for all adults, paving the way for its approval and potential mass production in South Korea. The vaccine's two full-dose regimen showed a 94.1% efficacy in preventing COVID-19, with over 86% efficacy in all age groups and those with underlying diseases. The Seoul government has signed a contract to bring in vaccines for 20 million people, with the first shipments expected to arrive before June.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for use in South Korea, making it the country's fourth approved vaccine against the novel coronavirus.
  • The vaccine's two full-dose regimen showed a 94.1% efficacy in preventing COVID-19, with over 86% efficacy in all age groups and those with underlying diseases.
  • The Seoul government has signed a contract to bring in vaccines for 20 million people, with some shipments expected to arrive before June.
  • Samsung Biologics, a biopharmaceutical unit of the Samsung Group, is close to signing a contract manufacturing organization (CMO) contract to manufacture the Moderna vaccine at its plants in Songdo.
  • The vaccine's mRNA technology is a new approach to fighting COVID-19, with the potential for rapid development and production of future vaccines.
  • The approval of the Moderna vaccine marks a significant step forward in South Korea's efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statistics:

  • 94.1%: efficacy rate of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in preventing COVID-19 (Source: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety)
  • 86%: efficacy rate of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in preventing COVID-19, regardless of age or underlying diseases (Source: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety)
  • 20 million: number of people covered by the government's contract to import Moderna vaccines (Source: Yonhap)
  • 28,207: number of participants in Moderna's clinical trials (Source: Yonhap)
  • 50 km: distance of Songdo, the location of Samsung Biologics' plants, from Seoul (Source: Yonhap)

Sources:

  • Ministry of Food and Drug Safety
  • Yonhap
  • Samsung Biologics