Vaccinated and exempted from quarantine... Half of breakthrough infections after entry received 'Zhong Sinopharm' vaccine

A sticker indicating submission of a negative PCR test certificate is attached to the passport of an overseas arrival at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport, Yeongjongdo.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Cases of COVID-19 infections among arrivals exempted from self-quarantine after completing vaccination overseas are increasing. Notably, half of these individuals are reported to have received the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) announced on the 18th, "Among a total of 16,925 arrivals exempted from quarantine since the 1st, diagnostic tests conducted after entry confirmed that as of the 16th, 12 people arriving from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Uganda, and Poland tested positive."

This follows 10 confirmed cases among 14,305 quarantine-exempt arrivals as of the 14th, with 2 additional cases confirmed within two days.

Of the 2 new confirmed cases, one tested positive on the first day after arrival from the UAE, having received the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine. The other tested positive on the 6th to 7th day after arriving from the UAE, with the vaccine type still under investigation.

Among the 12 confirmed cases so far, 6 (half) had received the Sinopharm vaccine. Following that, 3 had Pfizer, and 1 had AstraZeneca (AZ). Of the remaining 2, one is a child under 6 years old who entered with quarantine-exempt parents, and the vaccine type for the other has not yet been confirmed.

Among those who have completed COVID-19 vaccination overseas and were exempted from self-quarantine upon entry, confirmed cases continue to occur. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the government has been granting a 2-week self-quarantine exemption from this month for those who have completed vaccination overseas and enter the country for important business, academic or public interest purposes, or humanitarian reasons such as visiting immediate family.

To be recognized as fully vaccinated overseas, individuals must have received all recommended doses of vaccines approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO)?Pfizer, Janssen, Moderna, AstraZeneca (AZ), Covishield (AZ-Serum Institute of India), Sinopharm, or Sinovac?in the same country, and at least two weeks must have passed. Additionally, children under 6 years old are exempt from quarantine if entering with parents who have completed vaccination overseas.

Even quarantine-exempt individuals must present a PCR negative certificate issued within 72 hours before departure and undergo COVID-19 testing twice after entry, on day 1 and between days 6 and 7.

There are calls to reconsider the quarantine exemption policy for fully vaccinated overseas arrivals, citing ongoing breakthrough infections (cases where vaccinated individuals become infected) and the spread of variant viruses.

Regarding this, Son Young-rae, head of the CDSCH Social Strategy Division, stated, "We are currently evaluating the pattern of breakthrough infections among overseas vaccinated individuals," adding, "Decisions will be made based on this evaluation."

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