백신개발 청신호에 각국 물량 확보전 치열...韓 "국제사회, 백신 공동 개발•분배 추진…참여 검토"<br /><br />There has been progress in the search for a coronavirus vaccine promising results in several countries.<br />But there are also concerns that even with hundreds of millions of doses... there won't be enough for some developing countries.<br />South Korea is looking at what can be done to make sure that doesn't happen.<br />One - it's considering joining ongoing international efforts to co-develop and supply vaccines for Covid-19.<br />The progress it's seeing in joint efforts with Sweden's AstraZeneca is also a fruit of leaders' summits between South Korean and Swedish leaders.<br />Choi Jeong-yoon reports.<br />Will we have a COVID-19 vaccine before the end of this year?<br />According to the World Health Organization, there are 23 potential vaccines undergoing human trials, with three of them at the large-scale late stage and reported to have generated immune responses and be safe to use.<br />As it's uncertain which vaccines will be successful, many countries are embarking on a strategy akin to spread betting while aggressively committing to future vaccine doses even before development.<br />Washington has closed a deal with AstraZeneca for enough vaccines for 300-million people.<br />The UK government has also secured some 230-million doses so far and signed deals for a further 90 million.<br />However, only a handful of nations can afford to commit major sums of money to such speculative investments which could mean developing countries are forced to the back of the queue.<br />Amid mounting concerns over vaccine nationalism harming the global fight against the coronavirus,... voices have been calling for global efforts to equally distribute vaccines for public health purposes.<br />South Korea on Wednesday implied such actions are underway and that it is reviewing participating in the plan.<br />The health authorities said discussions for co-developing a COVID-19 vaccine as well as setting orders for fair distributions are ongoing at an international level... in close cooperation with the WHO and Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance.<br />"If such work is to proceed, South Korea is expected to give its financial and other support to the international community's vaccine co-development... which will give us a say in vaccine distribution in the future."<br />In a move that could help South Korea secure its own supplies, the company SK Bioscience has signed a deal to produce AstraZeneca's vaccine at the SK plant in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.<br />The Blue House says Korea will be able to use some of the vaccines produced there, and that the deal carries great meaning because it recognizes the country's manufacturing prowess.<br />It's also the first time a South Korean biotech firm has been given permission to go ahead with phase-three clinical trials, which is the last step before a vaccine is ready.<br />Choi Jeong-yoon, Arirang News.<br />
