"To Prevent the Spread of Variant Viruses, Vaccination Must Be Accelerated"

182 Domestic Confirmed Cases
9 Local Cases and 11 Overseas Cases Since the 4th

Jung Eun-kyung, Director: "Variant Is Not the Dominant Strain"

Concerns Over Vaccination Disruptions if Variant Spreads
Development of Booster Shots Effective Against Variant Underway

On the afternoon of the 4th, participants are practicing at the COVID-19 vaccine inoculation nurse job training held at the Nursing Workforce Employment Training Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 variant viruses in South Korea reaches 182, concerns about the variants are growing. There are even analyses suggesting that the currently developed vaccines are less effective against the variants, raising concerns that this could affect vaccination efforts. However, experts unanimously agree that "vaccination should be expedited to prevent the spread of variants."

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) as of midnight on the 9th, the total number of COVID-19 variant virus cases in South Korea has increased to 182. Since the 4th, 20 additional cases have been confirmed, with 9 being locally transmitted and 11 imported from overseas.

Notably, all 9 locally transmitted cases were linked to cluster infections. Among these, 3 cases related to a family in Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi Province, were confirmed to be infected with the South African variant. The South African variant is considered more dangerous than other variants as it appears to evade antibody responses that block viral entry.

However, KDCA Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyung stated, "The variant virus is not yet the dominant strain in our country," adding, "Because of strict management measures such as self-quarantine and three rounds of testing for overseas entrants, community transmission has been somewhat contained." She emphasized, "Nevertheless, there remains a risk of the variant virus spreading within the community in South Korea."

As the spread of variants continues, concerns are rising that ongoing vaccination efforts may face setbacks. This is due to research findings indicating that the currently developed vaccines may not be effective against the variant viruses. According to a study released on the 8th (local time) by researchers at Columbia University in the U.S., the effectiveness of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines against the South African variant was reduced to one-twelfth and one-tenth, respectively, compared to the original virus. On the 5th, a research team from Washington University School of Medicine also announced an analysis showing decreased vaccine efficacy against variant viruses.

Vaccination candidates are also growing anxious. A nurse working at a long-term care facility reported, "With news about the spread of variant viruses, quite a few people say they will wait to get vaccinated until a vaccine effective against the variants is available."

Vaccine manufacturers are currently developing 'booster shots' to enhance protection against variant viruses. Moderna plans to start clinical trials for a booster shot this month. Pfizer is testing a three-dose regimen of the existing vaccine and preparing trials for a modified vaccine targeting the South African variant.

Experts advise that even if variant spread worsens, getting vaccinated with the available vaccines immediately is more effective. Professor Choi Won-seok of Korea University Ansan Hospital's Infectious Diseases Department said, "The effect of vaccination is not only to produce antibodies directly but also to strengthen the immune system," adding, "Vaccines are expected to significantly prevent progression to severe illness or death even against variant viruses."

He emphasized, "Even if variant-specific vaccines are developed, if they are in the form of booster shots, those already vaccinated only need one dose, but first-time vaccinees will need more doses. To block variants, it is necessary to reduce viral replication itself, so vaccination efforts should be accelerated."

Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyung stated, "We are reviewing vaccine strategies to evade variant viruses," but added, "Our main goal is to complete the currently planned vaccination quickly before variants become dominant."

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