1,540 Suspected Domestic Breakthrough Infection Cases... Janssen Vaccine Accounts for Nearly Half with 746 Cases (Update)

15 Severe Cases and 2 Deaths Among Breakthrough Infection Patients

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The number of suspected 'breakthrough infection' cases, where individuals test positive for COVID-19 after vaccination, has exceeded 1,500 in South Korea.

On the 10th, the Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of the 5th, among 6,516,203 fully vaccinated individuals in the country, there were 1,540 suspected breakthrough infection cases, which corresponds to 23.6 cases per 100,000 vaccinated people. As of the 29th of last month, the number of suspected breakthrough infections was 1,132, showing an increase of 408 cases in one week.

By vaccine type, Janssen accounted for 746 cases (65.7 cases per 100,000 vaccinated), representing 48.4%?nearly half?of the domestic breakthrough infections. This was followed by Pfizer with 420 cases (12.2 cases per 100,000 vaccinated), AstraZeneca with 340 cases (31.4 cases per 100,000 vaccinated), and mixed vaccination with 34 cases (4 cases per 100,000 vaccinated).

Among those with breakthrough infections, 15 cases were severe or critical. By age group, there was one case each in the 30s, 40s, and 50s, two cases in the 60s, four cases in the 70s, and six cases aged 80 and above.

There have been two cumulative deaths, accounting for 0.13% of breakthrough infection cases. One deceased was in their 80s, vaccinated with Pfizer, who was confirmed infected with the Delta variant on the 6th of last month and died on the 26th of the same month. Another was in their 90s, vaccinated with AstraZeneca, who was confirmed positive and died on the 29th of last month.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, among 379 suspected breakthrough infection cases where variant virus analysis was completed, 247 cases (65.2%) were confirmed to have major variants (Alpha variant 24 cases, Beta variant 1 case, Gamma variant 1 case, Delta variant 221 cases).

The Central Disease Control Headquarters stated, "As the number of fully vaccinated individuals increases, breakthrough infection cases may continue to rise. The likelihood of breakthrough infection is extremely low at 0.02%, and even if infected, a high prevention effect against severe illness and death can be expected. Therefore, it is important to complete vaccination according to the recommended schedule."

Additionally, breakthrough infection cases have recently surged in nursing hospitals. In facilities with over 80% AstraZeneca vaccination rates in places like Busan and Gimhae, many breakthrough infections occurred mainly among residents who had completed their second dose more than six weeks prior.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters estimates that factors influencing these cluster outbreaks include ▲low immune response in elderly and patients with underlying conditions ▲transmissibility of the Delta variant ▲prolonged exposure in crowded, enclosed environments ▲delays in testing symptomatic individuals.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters said, "To prevent and manage breakthrough infections in nursing hospitals and facilities, we will promptly complete vaccination for unvaccinated individuals and those with only one dose, and review additional vaccination plans through evaluation of vaccine effectiveness. We also plan to strengthen access control, conduct immediate testing of symptomatic individuals, and enhance proactive testing of residents and workers."

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