COVID-19 Vaccine 'Booster Shot' to Be Administered... Starting 6 Months After Completion of Initial Vaccination

On the 26th, when COVID-19 vaccination began for the 18-49 age group, a citizen received a vaccination at Hongik Hospital in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As breakthrough infections of the COVID-19 vaccine have become frequent, raising concerns about the vaccine's efficacy period, health authorities have decided to implement a 'booster shot' by administering an additional vaccine dose to those who have completed their vaccination.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Task Force, stated at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's regular briefing on the 30th, "The Vaccination Expert Committee recommended administering an additional dose starting six months after completing the primary COVID-19 vaccination series."

At the Vaccination Expert Committee meeting held on the 25th, it was decided to allow COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women and adolescents aged 12 to 17, who had previously been excluded from vaccination, and to recommend administering an additional dose if six months have passed since completing the vaccination.

Director Jung explained, "The additional dose is recommended considering that antibody levels decrease over time after vaccination, breakthrough infections increase, and the spread of the Delta variant virus." The timing for the additional dose is six months after completing the vaccination. However, as of midnight on this day, there are no individuals in Korea who have passed six months since completing their vaccination. This is because the first person to complete the second dose in Korea was 313 people on March 20, following the start of Pfizer vaccine administration on February 27. Therefore, large-scale additional vaccinations are expected to begin no earlier than the end of next month. However, the Vaccination Expert Committee recommended prioritizing booster shots for immunocompromised individuals even if six months have not passed since their vaccination completion.

Director Jung stated, "Reflecting the recommendations of the Vaccination Expert Committee, we will establish a vaccination plan for pregnant women, children, adolescents, and additional doses, and announce it next month." The task force plans to set detailed vaccination plans aiming to start booster shots for eligible recipients from the fourth quarter.

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