S.Korea reviews AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, expands ban on gatherings (updated)

SK Chemicals

04/01/2021 06:29

(Recasts with AstraZeneca request for approval)
    By Sangmi Cha
    SEOUL, Jan 4 (Reuters) - South Korea is reviewing
AstraZeneca's  AZN.L  request for approval of its coronavirus
vaccine, as it expands a ban on private gatherings of more than
four people to the whole country with daily cases topping more
than 1,000 in four days.
    The drug safety ministry said will aim to approve the
British shot for emergency use in 40 days. The approval would
mark the first for the country, which has been grappling with a
prolonged surge in infections during the latest wave that has
led to a sharp increase in deaths.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nP8N2I4007 
    South Korea signed a deal with AstraZeneca to secure 20
million doses of its vaccine in December, with the first
shipment expected as early as January.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2IJ19H 
    It also has deals with three other drugmakers - Pfizer Inc
 PFE.N , Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen  JNJ.N , Moderna Inc
 MRNA.O  - and the global COVAX initiative, backed by the World
Health Organization.
    The country has secured enough doses to allow for coverage
of 56 million people, more than the 52 million residents of the
country.
    Authorities plan to start vaccination in February, with
health workers and vulnerable people first in line, but the
government has been criticised for that schedule in light of
vaccinations underway in the United States and European Union.  
 

 (Reporting by Sangmi Cha; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
 ((Sangmi.Cha@thomsonreuters.com; +82 2 3704 5646; Reuters
Messaging: sangmi.cha.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))