Rising Proportion of COVID-19 Cases Among Ages 0-19, Low Vaccination Appointment Rates... Authorities Say "All High School Seniors Recovered After Myocarditis and Pericarditis Adverse Reactions"

On the afternoon of the 1st, when COVID-19 vaccinations for those aged 12 to 15 (born between 2006 and 2009) began, a teenager received a vaccine at a pediatric and adolescent clinic in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the 'gradual return to daily life' begins and confirmed COVID-19 cases surge again, there is growing concern over the spread, especially among teenagers who have not yet fully started COVID-19 vaccination. In particular, the vaccination reservation rate among middle school students aged 12 to 15 is low, raising warning signals.

On the 4th, the Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight, 2,482 new COVID-19 cases were added, bringing the cumulative total to 373,120. Following 2,667 cases the previous day, the number remained in the 2,000s for two consecutive days.

Among these, 235 cases (9.5%) were aged 0-9, and 321 cases (12.9%) were aged 10-19, making a combined proportion of 22.4%, maintaining over 20% for 17 consecutive days since October 19. In the past week (October 29 to November 4), out of a total of 14,712 confirmed cases, 23.0% (3,389 cases) were in these age groups. However, among the 365 critically ill patients as of midnight, only 2 (0.55%) were teenagers, and there were none aged 0-9. There were also no deaths among those aged 0-19.

Baek Gyeong-taek, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters' situation management team, said in a morning interview on TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' that "both in Korea and abroad, the spread is significant among children under 10 who started vaccination late or have not been vaccinated." Regarding this, Baek emphasized, "Middle school students aged 12-15 are currently making reservations, but only 28.4% have reserved, which is lower than adults. I believe reducing confirmed cases through vaccination is a very important issue."

He added, "High school seniors have received a total of 886,338 vaccinations. There have been about 15 cases of myocarditis or pericarditis adverse reactions, but all were properly treated and recovered," emphasizing the safety of the vaccine.

However, amid concerns about major adverse reactions such as myocarditis and pericarditis, including the case of a teenage boy who died 75 days after receiving the Pfizer vaccine and for whom research results have not yet been released, the response to vaccination among teenagers remains limited.

Especially, the authorities stated the previous day that "myocarditis and pericarditis are the biggest concerns after messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine administration, but there is no causal relationship," and "globally, statistical associations between mRNA vaccination and myocarditis/pericarditis are being monitored and analyzed," while emphasizing that "association and causation are different; causation requires association as a necessary but not sufficient condition." Despite this, parental anxiety is increasing.

Parent Choi (43) expressed concern, saying, "Overseas, adolescent vaccinations are being halted due to worries about myocarditis and pericarditis, but here it seems like they are just pushing it through," and added, "Instead of proper explanations, it feels like they are just forcing us to get vaccinated with reassurances," voicing her anxiety.

Investigations into the death of a vaccinated teenager are still ongoing. When severe adverse reactions or deaths are reported after vaccination, local governments conduct epidemiological investigations and submit the results to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency through their rapid response teams. A representative from the Central Disease Control Headquarters said, "The local governments have not yet completed their investigations, so we are waiting for the results to be submitted."

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