[Establishment of a Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine Distribution and Supply System]

This manuscript addresses the stable distribution and supply of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in the Republic of Korea. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency swiftly established and operated a storage and distribution system to prepare for nationwide vaccinations. An integrated control center was established to monitor the cold chain and provide ultra-low temperature freezers and digital thermometers to local governments to maintain the cold chain and ensure safe vaccine administration. This article provides a detailed account of the distribution process and explains the stability of temperature management and system usage. Furthermore, the discussion addresses the efforts made at the inter-ministerial level and strengthened cooperation between central government agencies and local governments to ensure a smooth supply of COVID-19 vaccines to the entire population. Given the urgent situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the challenging storage and transportation conditions, the efficient and safe distribution of vaccines emerged as a critical issue. Discussions on the establishment and operational strategies of COVID-19 vaccine distribution systems are necessary to prepare for future large-scale infectious disease outbreaks. An effective vaccine distribution and management system is a key element in responding to the various challenges and enhancing public health safety, which was the focus of this study.