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- 2026-03-14 17:48:12
- Policy
- The preventive effect of Moderna vaccine is 94%
- by Lee, Tak-Sun May 12, 2021 05:58am
- The MFDS' verification advisory group, consisting of outside experts, has recognized the prevention effect of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for permission. The Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Review Committee, a court advisory body, will seek permission advice on the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday. COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectiveness verification advisory group by the MFDS held a meeting on the 9th and made this decision. The meeting of the verification advisory group is one of the procedures in which the MFDS collects advice from experts in various fields, including clinical, non-clinical, and quality, prior to consulting the Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Review Committee. At the meeting, the verification advisory group judged on the effectiveness of the Moderna vaccine, "The submitted data confirmed the effectiveness 14 days after the second dose of 18 years of age or older, so preventive effects for permission can be recognized." In addition, safety profiles were judged to be acceptable in clinical trials. They also said that it is reasonable to additionally observe abnormal cases that occurred during clinical trials through the "risk management plan" to secure safety after permission, and collect and evaluate information. In clinical trials, the Moderna vaccine was evaluated for its preventive effectiveness in 28,207 people (14,134 in vaccine groups and 14,073 in control group) who did not contract COVID-19 before administering a vaccine or control drug (0.9% in physiological saline). Since the 14th day of the second dose of the vaccine, 11 people have been confirmed with COVID-19 and 185 controls, showing 94.1% prevention effect, and more than 86% prevention effect regardless of age or presence of underlying disease. In addition, there were 31 cases of severe death due to COVID-19 in the control group (30 confirmed severe cases and 1 death) and none in the vaccine group. In the case of "Neutralizing antibodies," which can be combined on the surface of the COVID-19 virus particle to neutralize the infection of the virus, the "seroconversion rate," which means the proportion of people who have more than quadrupled since the second dose, was 100%. Of the 33,351 people eligible for clinical trials, 1.0% (147 people) of the vaccine group and 1.0% (153 people) of the control group reported "significant abnormal cases." There were nine cases of significant drug-abnormal reactions (including facial welling, nausea, vomiting, rheumatoid arthritis, autonomic nervous system imbalance, peripheral oedema, dyspnoea, and small B-cell lymphoma). However, most of them were recovering at the time of submitting clinical trial data. The MFDS plans to hold a Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Review Committee on the 13th to receive permission advice. The results are expected to be released later in the day.
- Policy
- Koselugo is about to be approved in Korea
- by Lee, Tak-Sun May 12, 2021 05:57am
- Koselugo (Selumetinib) is the FIRST and ONLY FDA-approved prescription medicine that is used to treat children 2 years of age and older with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) who have plexiform neurofibromas that cannot be completely removed by surgery. It is not known if Koselugo is safe and effective in children under 2 years of age. And, it is about to be approved in Korea. The FDS last year supported the drug by designating it as an "Expanded Review target for Expedited Review". According to industries on the 7th, the MFDS recently completed a safety and validity examination of AstraZeneca's Koselugo. Koselugo is a new drug used in the treatment of type 1 neurofibromatosis, which is inoperable in children over the age of three. In October last year, the MFDS designated the drug as an Expedited Review target, saying that it is life-threatening and constitutes a serious disease treatment. "If designated as an Expedited Review target, we can receive a Priority Review compared to other medicines. The screening period will be shortened to up to 90 days. Koselugo was quickly reviewed by the FDA and approved in April last year after six months. Neurofibromatosis Type I is a genetic nervous system disorder in which tumors proliferate in the nerve region, showing the characteristics of tumors destroying normal cells such as faces. Therefore, it causes skin discoloration, damage to the nervous and skeletal system, and risk of developing benign and malignant tumors. There has been no fundamental treatment method, so symptomatic treatments such as medication and lesion resection have been carried out depending on symptoms. Koselugo's release is expected to make patient care much easier. Clinical trials used Koselugo every 28 days to compare tumor size changes and tumor-related mortality. As a result, the objective response rate (ORR) of the Koselugo treatment group was 66%, and patients with 82% ORR continued to respond for more than 12 months. As the MFDS' review has been completed, it is expected to be approved as soon as possible unless there are other supplements.
- Policy
- Dongkook develops new triple-drug combo for hypertension
- by Lee, Tak-Sun May 11, 2021 06:00am
- Dongkook Pharmaceutical has started the development of a single-pill, triple-drug combination that contains S amlodipine. Although two-drug combinations are already available, no triple-drug combination with a substance added for high blood pressure currently exists in the market. On the 10th, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved the Phase I clinical trial protocol for the hypertension treatment ‘DKF-361’ by Dongkook Pharmaceutical. DKF-361 contains 3 medications: S amlodipine, olmesartan, and hydrochlorothiazide. The original three-drug combination for hypertension that combined Amlodipine besylate-olmesartan medoxomil and hydrochlorothiazide is Daiichi Sankyo Korea’s ‘Sevikar HCT tablet.’ Sevikar HCT has gained popularity as the first three-in-one combination therapy introduced in Korea for the treatment of hypertension. The drug is indicated for the treatment of essential hypertension in patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled with the combination of olmesartan medoxomil and amlodipine, taken as dual-component formulation. Generic versions of Sevikar HCT that contain the same substances have also been sold in Korea since March 2019. So far, 18 generics have been released in Korea. However, Dongkook Pharmaceutical's DKF-361 is the first product developed to combine S amlodipine instead of amlodipine. S amlodipine is a substance separated from amlodipine that contains the actual effect of amlodipine. By removing R- amlodipine, which is more closely connected to side effects, the new substance is known to have the same effect of lowering blood pressure at half the dose of conventional amlodipine with reduced side effects. The domestic pharmaceutical industry developed S amlodipine as a means to avoid the patent on amlodipine and succeeded in its commercialization. The efficacy of Dongkook Pharmaceutical's product is similar to Sevikar HCT. It is for the treatment of essential hypertension in patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled with the combination therapy of olmesartan medoxomil and S amlodipine. Dongkook Pharmaceutical has a two-drug combination therapy of S amlodipine besylate and olmesartan medoxomil, ‘Omevikar Tab.’ It also has a generic version of Sevikar HCT, ‘Amrovikar HCT tab.’ If the company succeeds in commercializing the three-in-one combination therapy, the drug may become an alternative to patients who failed to control their blood pressure with the Omevikar tab. Also, it may complement Amrovikar HCT, creating a synergistic effect between products. According to UBIST, the outpatient prescription sale of Omevikar was 2.1 billion won, and 0.5 billion won for Amrovikar HCT tab. The Phase I clinical trial for DKF-361 will be conducted at the Gil Medical Center, on 38 healthy adults.
- Policy
- Clinical results for Janssen Vaccine to be submitted
- by Lee, Tak-Sun May 11, 2021 05:59am
- If Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine, the third-largest licensed clinical trial in Korea, is completed by the end of this year, the permits will also be subject to change. Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine was approved on April 7 for the prevention of COVID-19 in adults aged 18 and older. However it has not been officially introduced in South Korea yet. According to the Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Review Committee minutes, a court expert advisory body that determines whether Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine is licensed, the company plans to complete two inoculation trials by the end of this year and submit the results to the MFDS. The Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Review Committee meeting was held at 10 a.m. on April 1 at Osong Food and Drug Administration headquarters. During the meeting, the commissioners connected with the company and asked about future plans. The company explained, "Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials are scheduled to be followed for two years, and phase 3 clinical trials plan to further analyze immunogenicity by 18 months." "The immunogenicity subgroup is scheduled to be monitored for 24 months, and the fastest immunogenicity results in Phase III clinical trials are expected to be available in the third quarter of this year," it added. "Although it is difficult to give an accurate answer, it is expected to be possible by this year." Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine designed and conducted clinical trials with the first dose of inoculation, but since the end of last year, phase 3 clinical trials have been underway twice. The vaccination effect was 66% at one time, and it is expected that the effect will increase at the second time. At the meeting, an official from the MFDS replied, "According to the results of the clinical trial of two doses, we can consider changing the permits if necessary." Officials at the Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Review Committee said that it is reasonable to grant permission on the condition that the final results of clinical trials are submitted because the vaccination profit from Jansen vaccine is generally high. Product licensing also followed the Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Review Committee's opinion. There were some concerns about its effectiveness and safety. In terms of effectiveness, the lack of preventive effectiveness and safety in subjects aged 65 and older were about thrombotic risks, such as AstraZeneca vaccines. The Janssen vaccine has a preventive effect of 44% since the 28th for those aged 65 or older. In response, the MFDS said, "Foreign regulators also considered the fact that it was a subgroup analysis, it was difficult to confirm statistically meaningful effects due to the small number of cases in the subgroup, and 0.52% 8 days later." "If there was a risk factor, it was 67% effective in severe patients." "The prevention effect is less than 50% after 28 days in subjects with general risk factors such as high blood pressure," a member said. "The same hypothesis cannot be applied to subgroup analysis, but is the validity of the submitted data appropriate considering that most subjects are risk factors?" In response, the MFDS said it would give conditions to South Koreans after marketing them. He also mentioned the need to strengthen monitoring of thrombosis risks. "CVST (cerebral sinus thrombosis) is a rare disease, but it is a problem because the prevalence rate has increased in Germany, and the incidence rate is very low, so continuous monitoring is needed." Since its approval in Korea, the U.S. has temporarily suspended vaccinations against Janssen due to concerns over side effects such as CVST. However, the EMA and the CDC resumed vaccination, saying that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks. The MFDS plans to continue to monitor abnormal reactions such as CVST through a risk management plan after approval. Meanwhile, Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine is the third-largest licensed vaccine in Korea, a viral vector vaccine such as AstraZeneca. Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine is a recombinant viral vector vaccine that utilizes Ad26 as a vector (or carrier) of the genetic code for the SARS-CoV-2 antigen (called the spike protein) to create an immune response.
- Policy
- Hemlibra is likely to establish criteria for reimbursement
- by Nho, Byung Chul May 11, 2021 05:59am
- Hemlibra's reimbursement standard applied in February this year is ▲for patients who fail ITI, ▲ if there is a doctor's opinion that it meets the requirements for ITI but cannot be implemented, and ▲approved only if antibodies are regenerated after ITI success. These benefits criteria could be cut from the HIRA's screening after prescribing drugs depending on interpretation, resulting in discontinuation of administration for some pediatric patients, and patients' carers have sought solutions from various angles, including filing a national petition to the HIRA. The HIRA and the patient's group, led by the Anti-Correction and Civil Rights Commission, held a recent meeting and exchanged in-depth mutual opinions and positions on the validity of ITI prerequisites. According to the industry, the HIRA subcommittee is expected to proactively consider ITI when treating hemophiliacs under the age of 12, but discuss salary standards on a case-by-case basis based on prescriptions for communications and respect for medical rights. Treatment of Hemlibra subcutaneous injections in pediatric hemophiliacs, which are currently suspended, is likely to resume as early as this month or next month. In particular, the suspension of administration of pediatric antibody patients is expected to have a significant positive impact on the establishment of Hemlibra's standards for non-antibody patients. Analysis of Hemlibra clinical data shows that donor licensing is superior to factor VIII preparation and can help improve the quality of life of patients by improving the convenience of administration with subcutaneous injections. First-in-class Hemlibra, which has gained an advantage in economic evaluation due to its cheaper and easier to administer than conventional treatments, is currently expanding benefits to hemophilia A non-antibodies even among A7 countries. Patients exposed to factor XIII drugs inevitably produce antibodies at a certain rate, and factor XIII alone is likely to fail to control bleeding. Hemlibra is a dual antibody mechanism that replaces factor XIII, which is considered a new alternative to hemophilia treatment as it is free from intravenous pain in both pediatric and adult patients and avoids concerns about antibody production. According to the hemophilia patient group, the full treatment of Hemlibra in pediatric non-antibody patients must be paid by the patient, and the patient group is constantly asking the HIRA to set a benefit standard for this.
- Policy
- Korea United Pharm has started developing a combined IMD
- by Lee, Tak-Sun May 10, 2021 05:57am
- [ It is confirmed that Korea United Pharm has started developing a triglyceride treatment compound called "Pravastatin-Fenofibrate." The intention is to commercialize Fenofibric Acid, which can be taken with or without meals, as it is more convenient than conventional drugs. On the 28th of last month, the MFDS approved a Phase I clinical trial plan for UI061 for Korea United Pharm's treatment of complex dyslipidemia. This test is designed to identify the safety and pharmacokinetic properties of UI061 in healthy adult subjects. The event will be held at Chungnam National University Hospital for 10 people. The component of UI061 is Pravastatin-Fenofibrate. It also selected Yooyoung's "Pravastatin-Fenofibrate" as a control drug. Pravafenix is a drug introduced by Yooyoung from Belgian pharmaceutical company SMB in 2009 and is gaining popularity as a combination of triglyceride treatment. Based on UBIST, amount of out-of-pocket prescriptions last year was $21.6 billion, which is also playing a role of cash cow for companies. In particular, it is currently the only Pravastatin-Fenofibrate compound in Korea. United used Fenofibric Acid instead of Fenofibrate. Fenofibric Acid was first introduced as 'Fenocid' in 2012. In 2019, United were granted Fenorics EH (Fenofibric Acid). Fenofibric Acid can be taken independently of meals. Fenofibrate must be taken with food to increase absorption. So, Fenofibrate-based Pravafenix should be taken for dinner. If Fenofibric Acid is combined with Pravastatin and made into a compound, it can be taken independently of the meal. However, it is difficult to be sure of the possibility of commercialization at this time because United is still conducting clinical trials for the first time. In the meantime, United has new IMDs such as CilostanCR. Attention is focusing on whether there will be new drug development items that will make competitors nervous again this time.
- Policy
- 40 new drugs licensed last year
- by Lee, Tak-Sun May 07, 2021 06:01am
- Last year, a total of 40 new drugs were licensed in Korea, with five items manufactured by domestic pharmaceutical companies. One item of Yooyoung Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.'s anti-arthritis treatment and four items of Hwanin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. were listed as new drugs. Rare drugs have also been licensed, up sharply from the previous year. The expedited review of treatments such as Remdesivir was also made due to the epidemic of COVID-19 infectious diseases. Domestic pharmaceutical companies were found to have been active in developing salt modified drugs for compounding drugs and patent avoidance purposes. The MFDS announced that it published the "Approval report of 2020 drugs" on the 30th of last month, which contains the current status of drug approvals and reports for the previous year. A total of 3,496 drugs were licensed and reported last year, with 40 new drugs, 24 rare drugs, 6 new drugs developed in Korea, and 2 equivalent biosimilar drugs developed in Korea. Last year's major characteristics of licensed medicines include ▲ expedited review of COVID-19 treatments ▲ increase in rare drug permits ▲ increase in new drug product permits ▲ the largest proportion of licensed drugs. In July last year, the MFDS quickly approved the COVID-19 treatment "Veklury (Remdesivir)" (Gilead Science Korea) as an imported medicine for stable treatment of domestic patients. This is an example of a preemptive response to the national health crisis and establishing a system to supply medical supplies. Rare drug approval has also increased significantly. The number of rare drug item permits declined slightly from 34 items in 2016 to 11 items in 2019, but it turned upward last year and 24 items (14 active ingredients) were licensed. This is believed to be due to the industry's sufficient compliance with the requirements for submission of item permits for rare drugs, which were strengthened under the revised regulations in July 2015, and the level of safety management for rare drugs has also increased. The number of new drugs has been steadily increasing since 40 items were licensed last year, with 35 new imported drugs and five new domestically manufactured drugs being licensed. The new drug was licensed from 15 items (12 ingredients) in 2018 to 35 items (21 ingredients) in 2019 and 40 items (20 ingredients) in 2020. 34 items of chemicals and 6 items of biological drugs (all imported) were licensed, and 13 items of anti-cancer drugs were licensed by the medicinal group, accounting for a high proportion of 32.5% of the total. New drugs developed in Korea decreased from a year earlier to six items, but biosimilars were licensed for two items, similar to the previous year. Five new chemo drugs in Korea are one treatment for slime arthritis and four anti-epidemic drugs, while six new biomedical drugs include PNH treatment and macular degeneration treatment. Permits for "new products" were also increased last year. Of the 326 items subject to the safety and validity review last year, 182 items (55.8%) were licensed and developed intensively, with 154 items (84.6%) containing Rosuvastatin calcium for hyperlipidemia. The development of drugs using new salts or isomers ,which are used for patent avoidance purposes, also increased sharply from two items in 2019 to 74 items in 2020. This is due to the development of a new salt for active ingredients used in diabetes drugs, which is analyzed to be due to the industry's strategy to preempt the diabetes drug market. Of the total 3,110 licensed items, "blood circulation medicine," which includes "HTN treatment," was the most licensed item with 581, accounting for 18.7%. This is similar to 902 items licensed in 2019, accounting for 18.8 percent of the total, and it is analyzed to be due to the continued expansion of the blood pressure drug market, including aging population. 554 fever, pain and anti-inflammatory drugs (17.8%), 425 digestive medicine (13.7%), 337 other metabolic and diabetic drugs (12.1%), 121 blood and body medicine (3.9%), 102 allergy drugs (3.3%), and 95 antibiotic drugs (3.1%) were licensed.
- Policy
- The National Assembly is trying to enact GMP legislation
- by Lee, Jeong-Hwan May 06, 2021 06:07am
- As domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers' GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) violations occur one after another, the National Assembly and the MFDS are struggling to prevent recurrence by strengthening regulations. The National Assembly is considering reinforcing the administrative disposition of pharmaceutical companies violating GMP through the legalization of the Ordinance of the Prime Minister and the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act of the GMP regulation, which is operated by public notice, and the MFDS is trying to organize a special planning inspection team regularly and operate it on a regular basis. On the 4th, the National Assembly and the MFDS are discussing to resolve the problem of GMP violations in Binex, Vivozon, and Chong Kun Dang. The National Assembly is reviewing a bill that raises the current GMP regulations, centering on members of the Health and Welfare Committee. Currently, the MFDS is issuing a GMP conformity certificate based on the Ordinance of the Prime Minister, the safety regulations for pharmaceuticals. Other detailed GMP regulations are managed by administrative regulations. The National Assembly is preparing to legislate as it is necessary to raise and legislate the GMP regulations to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act rather than administrative rules due to the illegal manufacturing situation of domestic pharmaceutical companies. It is to raise the GMP regulations and conformity assessment to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and to establish a legal basis for the cancellation of GMP certification for pharmaceutical companies that violate the regulations. Some pharmaceutical companies' discretionary manufacturing will strengthen the overall pharmaceutical industry's GMP regulations and penalties for violations. The MFDS is planning to request an increase in manpower for the regular organization and regular operation of the GMP special planning and inspection team for pharmaceutical manufacturing establishments, and taking this voluntary manufacturing situation as an opportunity to monitor pharmaceutical manufacturing establishments at any time to strengthen quality control. Currently, the MFDS operates a GMP special planning and inspection team as a TF composed of two teams. In addition, the factory's intentional and unethical illegal activities are being detected. It is the duty to detect acts such as changing the permission information or falsely writing or concealing manufacturing records without approval from the MFDS. The MFDS will appeal to the National Assembly and related ministries about the need to increase manpower in order to incorporate regular personnel in the planning and inspection team in the future. An official in the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee said, "The issue of GMP violation has had a significant impact on the overall pharmaceutical industry in Korea, and various changes have occurred. It influenced the legislation of the National Assembly, and the pharmaceutical association and the pharmaceutical industry reflected on themselves.The National Assembly is determining the need to strengthen GMP regulations." He added, "It is a violation of some pharmaceutical companies, but the necessity of strengthening GMP regulations has been steadily raised. If additional legislation can prevent recurrence of drug quality problems, it is a situation that should be discussed prospectively while avoiding over-regulation."
- Policy
- We must do our best to develop domestic vaccines
- by Lee, Jeong-Hwan May 06, 2021 06:07am
- President Moon Jae-in received a report on the 3rd that "The introduction and vaccination of COVID-19 vaccine is faster than originally planned, and if the amount of introduction by time is as efficiently as possible, the vaccination target for the first half could be raised from 12 million to 13 million. " President Moon presented an opinion that after successful formation of collective immunity this year, and all efforts should be devoted to developing domestic vaccines next year. In the afternoon of that day, President Moon at COVID-19 Response Special Quarantine Inspection Meeting (at the main building of Cheongwadae) said, "Korea has already secured twice as much vaccine as the public, and has exceeded the goal of inoculating 3 million people by the end of April by more than 10%." President Moon ordered that the goal of achieving collective immunity in November be brought ahead of the plan and correct misinformation so that the public would not be anxious. President Moon said, "Even in May, Pfizer vaccine will be supplied stably to Korea every week, and AstraZeneca vaccine will also be delivered in larger quantities than originally planned. The government is most effectively distributing the amount of vaccines introduced into the first and second vaccinations according to a meticulous plan.” He added, "Please make the best use of private medical resources for vaccination, and increase the autonomy and accountability of a local government." President Moon emphasized that efforts should be made to develop vaccines in Korea. He said, "Securing vaccine sovereignty is the most important task in the global competition for vaccine security. Please do your best to use the domestic vaccine developed by our company next year." He said, “Korea is attracting attention as a country that can become a global hub for vaccine production. It has the world's second largest biopharmaceutical production capacity, and currently, three COVID-19 vaccine products developed overseas are produced by consignment or technology transfer in Korea. He said, "For the goal of becoming a global hub country, public-private partnerships will cooperate and provide administrative and diplomatic support." He explained, "The number of confirmed COVID-19 patients is 600-700 every day. Fortunately, the number of confirmed cases is still very small compared to the population, and the fatality rate is incomparably low compared to that of major countries." He said, "With successful quarantine, the economy is recovering rapidly and vaccination is in progress. There is also hope for a daily recovery." He repeatedly emphasized, "If people trust the government and cooperate with quarantine and vaccination, we will accelerate our return to our precious daily lives."
- Policy
- The Vice Minister of Health and Welfare received AZ vaccine
- by Kim, Jung-Ju May 06, 2021 06:06am
- Second Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Kang Do-tae visited a public health center in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 3rd and received the AZ vaccineThe health and quarantine authorities and the head of the KMA met together to get the AstraZeneca (AZ) COVID-19 vaccine and agreed to overcome COVID-19. Kang Do-tae, the second vice minister of the MOHW, visited COVID-19 Vaccination Center in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 3rd to check the vaccination progress and encouraged the officials. Vice Minister Kang checked the vaccination progress and vaccination movements at the vaccination center, and listened to the difficulties and suggestions of the vaccination subjects and those involved in the field. In particular, Vice Minister Kang said, "We will do our best to manage the vaccine for the safe and rapid vaccination of the people, and cooperate with local fire departments and emergency medical institutions to ensure that there is no lack of a response system for adverse reactions that may occur after vaccination." After visiting the vaccination center, Vice Minister Kang visited the Yongsan-gu public health center and received AstraZeneca vaccine with Minister of the MFDS Kim Kang-rip and Lee Pil-soo, chairman of the KMA. The 2nd Vice Minister Gang-tae (right) and Lee Pil-soo, the new president of the medical association, are shaking hands Lee Pil-soo, the new chairman of the KMA, said, "As a representative of the medical field, we volunteered to alleviate public concerns and anxiety about vaccines and show our will to end COVID-19 as soon as possible." He said, "The KMA and 130,000 members are doing their best to vaccination against COVID-19 to protect the health and lives of the people, and the government, the public, and medical personnel will work together to overcome COVID-19 together." Minister of the MFDS Kim Kang-rip asked special attention, such as observing storage temperature, so that the quality could be maintained continuously during the process of receiving and storing the vaccine, examining the storage status of the vaccine. He also said, "The domestically approved COVID-19 vaccine is thoroughly verified for safety and effectiveness through triple expert consultation at the MFDS. The benefits far outweigh the risks caused by the vaccine, and as it is a vaccine approved by the MFDS, we hope that the people will be vaccinated with peace of mind." Vice Minister Kang expressed his gratitude for the cooperation and hard work of local governments and the medical community in the process of responding to COVID-19. He said, "Vaccination is a safe and effective preventive method, and I hope that the public believe in the government and experts and inoculate them in order for the health of themselves, their families and neighbors."
