"Increase Vaccination Speed" vs "Masks Are Necessary": What Do You Think About First-Dose Vaccine Recipients Not Wearing Masks?

Benefits for First Dose Vaccinated
Exemption from Gathering Limits, Outdoor 'No Mask' Allowed
Plan to Accelerate Vaccination Through Incentives
Concerns Over Variants and Reduced Protection Arise
Experts Say "Incentives Matter but Mask Removal Raises Concerns"

Citizens wearing masks on their way to work last March / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As the government plans to grant so-called 'vaccine incentives' that exempt citizens who have completed their first COVID-19 vaccination from some social distancing restrictions, public opinion is divided. While some advocate that such measures are necessary to overcome vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination rates, others worry that it could cause confusion in quarantine efforts. Experts suggest that careful incentives that do not undermine quarantine efforts are needed.

◆A total of 3-step 'vaccine incentives' for those with at least one dose starting next month

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum stated at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the 26th, "The government aims to finalize the 'Support Plan for Daily Life Recovery of Vaccinated Individuals' so that more citizens can feel the effects of vaccination."

According to the government, the 'vaccine incentives' given to those who have received at least one dose are divided into three stages. The first stage, which excludes them from the restriction on the number of immediate family gatherings (8 people), will be implemented starting next month. From July, when the second stage begins, masks can be removed outdoors in places such as parks and hiking trails, and restrictions on the number of people entering indoor and outdoor multi-use facilities such as restaurants, cafes, wedding halls, and religious institutions will also be lifted.

The final third stage is scheduled to be implemented at the end of September, when it is expected that over 70% of the population will have completed their first vaccination. Regarding this, Prime Minister Kim explained, "We will comprehensively readjust quarantine standards after the end of September," adding, "At the point when herd immunity is achieved, easing mask-wearing indoors will also be considered."

◆Accelerating vaccination through benefits

The government decided to grant vaccine incentives to boost vaccination reservation rates and accelerate the vaccination process.

On the morning of the 25th, an official is preparing vaccines at the vaccination center set up at the Changdong Youth Center in Dobong-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

According to quarantine authorities, the current vaccination reservation rate among high-risk groups aged 60 to 69 is only about 55-65%. The AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine, mainly used for vaccination, has caused some anxiety due to rare blood clot controversies. This is why there are calls for 'benefits' to overcome vaccine hesitancy and increase reservation rates.

COVID-19 vaccines have shown high protective effects even after just the first dose. Minister of Health and Welfare Kwon Deok-cheol stated at a regular briefing on the 26th, "For those aged 60 and above, a single dose provides 90% infection prevention and 100% mortality prevention."

These protective effects are also supported by studies from other countries. The UK, which currently has the fastest vaccination rate among developed countries with populations over 50 million, analyzed about 1.14 million vaccinated individuals in Scotland last January. The study found that four weeks after the first dose, hospital admission rates due to infection decreased by 89%.

The UK is currently administering vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and the domestically developed AZ vaccine. Among these, Pfizer showed 85% protection and AZ showed 94% protection after the first dose.

◆Concerns that protection from only the first dose may be insufficient

On the other hand, there are concerns that easing distancing measures such as 'no masks' for first-dose recipients could be risky. This is because the vaccines currently administered require two doses for full protection.

Vaccines work by generating antibodies to protect the body from the virus after the first dose, and the second dose strengthens immunity further.

Therefore, if the second dose is not received, antibodies may wane over time, reducing protection. In the earlier Scottish vaccine effectiveness study, Pfizer's protection dropped to 64% 42 days after the first dose.

Bodies of COVID-19 victims are being cremated at a temporary crematorium set up in New Delhi, the capital of India. / Photo by Yonhap News

There is also the issue of COVID-19 variants introduced from countries like India and Brazil. These variants may spread faster than the original virus and could undermine vaccine protection.

Variant viruses are being consistently detected. Since the end of last year, the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) has been analyzing whether COVID-19 viruses detected in confirmed cases are variants using whole genome sequencing techniques.

In particular, among new confirmed cases analyzed by the CDCH from the 16th to the 22nd, 777 individuals (723 domestic cases, 54 imported) were tested for variants, and 35.6% (277 people) were confirmed to have variants. This is the highest rate since whole genome sequencing began.

◆"Need to speed up vaccination" vs. "Could trigger new cluster infections"

Given this situation, opinions among citizens about 'vaccine incentives' are divided.

Office worker A (33) said, "The surest way to end the COVID-19 crisis is vaccination. I believe raising vaccination rates by any means is the most important thing," adding, "If clear benefits are given to those vaccinated, the crisis can end faster."

Another office worker B (29) said, "Everyone is tired of wearing masks and forced social distancing, unable to return to normal life," and added, "If there are vaccine incentives, I think I can clearly feel that I am protected because I got vaccinated."

On the morning of the 24th, the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine is being administered at the COVID-19 vaccination center set up at Yeomju Gymnasium in Seo-gu, Gwangju. / Photo by Yonhap News

On the other hand, concerns were raised that easing quarantine measures for those who have not completed the second dose could send the wrong message. Graduate student C (31) said, "I heard you need two doses for full protection, so what if first-dose recipients are allowed to remove masks?" and pointed out, "People might behave more irresponsibly, which could lead to new cluster infections."

There were also practical concerns about having to distinguish vaccinated individuals who receive incentives. D (in their 30s), working at a restaurant in the metropolitan area, said, "How do you distinguish who is vaccinated and who is not? Even now, making customers scan QR codes at indoor facilities is a huge hassle. If similar certification procedures are introduced for vaccinated people, it will become much more complicated and ineffective."

Experts say vaccine incentives can increase vaccination speed but caution that benefits for vaccinated individuals should not undermine quarantine efforts.

Professor Jung Jae-hoon of Gachon University's Department of Preventive Medicine said, "Various strategies are needed to improve vaccination rates and acceptance, and providing incentives can be a meaningful help," but added, "As the saying goes, 'look before you leap,' it is concerning that lifting outdoor mask mandates for first-dose recipients is being discussed."

He further suggested, "Current vaccine incentives focus on quarantine and social distancing. I think providing 'economic incentives' such as disaster relief funds or local currency that do not affect quarantine efforts would also be a good idea."

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