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USFK offers to provide COVID-19 vaccines to Korea: sources

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An U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Gerald Allen, 51st Civil Engineer Squadron assistant chief of fire protection, receives the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at Osan Air Base, Dec. 29, 2020. Korea Times file

USFK recently delivered its intention of providing around 13,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson (JJ) vaccines, and Korean defense and health authorities are discussing how to use the vaccines and other details, according to the sources.

In March, USFK began administering JJ's Janssen vaccine to its members in addition to Moderna's, and around 70 percent of the population have been vaccinated so far.

"We are discussing with the U.S. side diverse ways of cooperating on the issue," a ministry official said.

Korea has been struggling to boost its COVID-19 vaccine supply and has sought help from the United States to address the issue.

"USFK continues to work closely with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Ministry of National Defense regarding FDA-authorized use of COVID-19 vaccines," USFK spokesperson Col. Lee Peters said in a statement. He did not give further details, citing policy.

The Janssen vaccines, if shipped, are likely to be administered to civilians, not service members, as the defense ministry already secured vaccines for troops. The vaccination program for those aged 30 and older was to be completed in the coming days, and troops in their 20s are expected to receive Pfizer's COVID-19 shots starting around June. (Yonhap)