Domestic Infections of Variant Virus Increase... Growing Controversy Over Vaccine and Treatment Effectiveness

12 Cases Increased in the Past Week
South African Variant Shows Low Vaccine Prevention Effectiveness
Concerns Over Antibody Treatment Infection Spread

Amid growing concerns over the fourth wave of COVID-19 driven by the spread of the new variant originating from the UK, overseas arrivals wearing protective suits are heading to temporary quarantine facilities at Incheon International Airport in Yeongjongdo on the 5th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Hyun-ui Cho and Chun-hee Lee] The number of domestic infections of COVID-19 variant viruses has increased to 51, accelerating the spread. In particular, concerns about the low preventive effect of existing vaccines against the variant virus from the Republic of South Africa have been raised, intensifying the controversy over the effectiveness of antibody treatments and vaccines.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 8th, a total of 51 cases of variant viruses imported into the country have been confirmed so far, an increase of 12 cases in one week. There are 37 cases from the United Kingdom, 9 from the Republic of South Africa, and 5 from Brazil.

Along with this spread, concerns are growing that COVID-19 vaccines and treatments may not be effective against variant viruses. Researchers from Oxford University and the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa conducted Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials of the AstraZeneca vaccine on 2,026 subjects and concluded that it does not prevent mild to moderate symptoms caused by the South African variant.

On the 7th (local time), South Africa decided to suspend the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was originally planned to start vaccination for medical staff in mid-month. Reflecting research results that the AstraZeneca vaccine has limited effectiveness against the South African variant, the South African government decided to suspend its use until additional data is secured and focus on distributing Pfizer and Janssen vaccines. However, Pfizer and Janssen vaccines have also shown reduced preventive effects against the South African variant compared to the general virus.

There are also claims that COVID-19 antibody treatments such as ‘Rekkironaju (CT-P59)’, developed by Celltrion and conditionally approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, may actually increase the risk of infection.

Bang Ji-hwan, director of the Central Infectious Disease Hospital Operations Center, recently stated, "Neutralizing antibodies created against the original virus may not function properly against the mutated virus and may even facilitate the entry of the variant virus into the human body," adding, "If antibodies trigger unwanted immune responses, it could be more harmful to severely ill patients."

In response, Professor Jae-hoon Jung of Gachon University’s Department of Infectious Medicine rebutted, "There is no evidence yet that antibody treatments increase the risk of infection," and added, "There is much debate about whether this phenomenon actually occurs and how frequently it happens."

Kim Kang-lip, commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, also said, "We have not yet secured scientific evidence to make a clear judgment on the effect of Rekkironaju on variant viruses," and added, "Currently, the National Institute of Health under the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency is jointly testing with Celltrion to see how effective it is against the UK and South African variants." Research on this is also underway at overseas research institutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and other countries.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.