WHO "Closely Monitoring Colombia-Origin 'Mu Variant'... Booster Shot Vaccination Should Be Postponed"

"Similar Transmission to Beta Variant... Further Investigation Needed"
First Mu Variant Detected in Japan
Request to Postpone 'Booster Shot' Vaccination Amid COVID-19 Resurgence

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO)
[Photo by AP]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The World Health Organization (WHO) is closely monitoring the South American Colombia-originated COVID-19 variant called 'Mu' and has raised concerns that this variant may reduce the immune efficacy of vaccines. Amid this, the WHO has reiterated its call for some developed countries to delay their booster shot (additional vaccination to enhance efficacy) plans, citing the significantly low vaccination rates in low-income countries.

On the 1st (local time), major foreign media reported that the WHO named the newly reported variant virus 'B.1.621' as the 'Mu variant' and designated it as a 'variant of interest.'

According to reports, the WHO raised concerns in a report released on the 31st of last month that the Mu variant, designated as a variant of interest, may reduce vaccine efficacy.

The WHO stated in the report, "The Mu variant appears to have various mutation structures that may allow it to evade vaccine-induced immunity," adding, "According to data from our own research team, the Mu variant may reduce vaccine effectiveness similarly to the Beta variant. This is an area that requires further investigation."

The Mu variant was first reported in Colombia in January and has since been detected in a total of 39 countries, mainly in South America and Europe. According to the WHO, the Mu variant currently accounts for less than 0.1% of global cases but represents 39% and 13% of cases in Colombia and Ecuador, respectively.

In particular, the Mu variant was reported for the first time in Japan, prompting health authorities to raise an alert. According to NHK on the 2nd, there have been two confirmed cases of the Mu variant: a woman in her 40s who arrived at Narita Airport on June 26 and a woman in her 50s who arrived at Haneda Airport on July 5. The media reported that these individuals were asymptomatic and had travel histories in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United Kingdom, respectively.

The WHO manages variants that require special attention among the numerous COVID-19 variants by designating them as 'variants of concern' and 'variants of interest,' based on transmissibility, symptoms, and vaccine effectiveness.

Currently, there are four variants of concern: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. The variants of interest, which are one level below, include Eta, Iota, Kappa, Lambda, and now Mu, making a total of five.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Among these variants of interest, the WHO is particularly keeping a close watch on the Lambda variant originating from Peru.

The Lambda variant has already been identified in more than 30 countries and has been found to exhibit vaccine escape and fatality rates similar to those of the Delta variant.

In light of the possibility of new variant emergence, the WHO has again urged some countries to delay booster shot vaccinations.

On the 1st, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that vaccination rates remain low in most countries so far, saying, "This is why I am calling for a temporary pause on booster shot vaccinations. At least until the end of this month, vaccination start plans should be delayed."

Previously, the U.S. government announced plans to significantly expand booster shot vaccinations starting from the 20th, while Israel and Germany have already started or planned booster shot vaccinations in response to the spread of the Delta variant.

Director-General Ghebreyesus emphasized that while vaccination completion rates in high-income countries have reached 50%, those in low-income countries have not even reached 2%.

He added, "At this time, it is not appropriate to administer booster shots to those who have already completed their vaccinations."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

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