Israel, South Korea agree on Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine swap
Israel will deliver about 700,000 expiring doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine to South Korea later this month, and South Korea will give Israel back the same number, already on order from Pfizer, in September and October.
South Korea has quickly distributed the COVID-19 vaccines it has, but has struggled to obtain enough doses in a timely manner amid tight global supplies, particularly in Asia.
Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.
“This is a win-win deal,” Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said in a statement announcing the deal on Tuesday. “Together we will beat the pandemic.”
After a stellar roll-out, Israel has administered both shots to around 55 percent of its population and seen turnout plateau.
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Director Jeong Eun-kyeong said the deal will allow South Korea to accelerate its vaccination plans, including providing shots to employees in some sectors that have a high amount of contact with other people.
Local authorities will decide who gets the vaccines, but she said some possible examples may include street cleaners, delivery workers, and retail employees.
South Korean authorities said last week they are hoping to achieve herd immunity earlier than the current November target by inoculating at least 70 percent of the population with a minimum of one vaccine dose, mostly mRNA ones such as Pfizer’s.
Jeong said if the vaccination drive goes according to plan and South Korea finds itself with surplus doses later in the year after sending back the agreed doses to Israel, it too will look to share its stockpile with other countries.
South Korea has been battling persistent small outbreaks, prompting officials to delay some easing of social distancing rules. The KDCA reported 746 more COVID-19 cases as of midnight Monday, raising the country’s total to 161,541, including 2,032 total deaths.
Read more:
Thousands rally in Seoul, defying government COVID-19 curbs
Israel sees decline in Pfizer vaccine efficacy rate: Ynet report
Delta COVID-19 variant haunts outlook for global economic growth
-
Israel’s ban on Arab family unifications comes to an end after PM loses vote
A ban in force since 2003 on Arab citizens and residents of Israel extending their rights to their Palestinian spouses came to an end on Tuesday after ... Middle East -
Israel sees decline in Pfizer vaccine efficacy rate: Ynet report
The protection conferred by Pfizer Inc.’s vaccine against mild forms of COVID-19 appeared to wane after a few weeks in data garnered in Israel as the ... Coronavirus -
South Korea to relax social distancing rules, allow private gatherings on July 1
South Korea will relax social distancing rules and allow private gatherings of up to six people in the greater Seoul area from the current four ... Coronavirus -
South Korea to give two different COVID-19 vaccine doses to 760,000 people
Some 760,000 South Koreans who have received a first dose of AstraZeneca Plc’s COVID-19 vaccine will be offered Pfizer Inc’s vaccine as a second shot ... Coronavirus