SMEs express concern over 'vaccine leave' amid prolonged pandemic Posted : 2021-05-24 15:43 Updated : 2021-05-24 15:59 Over 1 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine are shipped out of SK Bioscience's manufacturing plant in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, on May 17. SK group's pharmaceutical affiliate, SK Bioscience, is AstraZeneca's partner in the global supply of the COVID-19 vaccine. Yonhap By Yi Whan-woo Following a government recommendation, major conglomerates are introducing paid leave for workers getting vaccinated against COVID-19. But small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) cannot afford to do so because of a shortage of manpower, financial constraints and other problems caused by the prolonged fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.