First Case of Breakthrough Infection in Taiwan Among Individuals with Three COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Reported

by Lee Seungjin

Published 09 Jan.2022 13:01(KST)

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] For the first time in Taiwan, a citizen who completed the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has experienced a breakthrough infection.

According to Taiwanese media such as United Daily News and Liberty Times on the 9th, Taiwan's health authorities announced that two people in their 50s?a female security guard working at Taoyuan Airport in the northern region and a male airport disinfection taxi driver living in Xindian District, New Taipei City?were breakthrough infected with COVID-19.

The security guard had received three doses of the Moderna vaccine, and the taxi driver had completed two doses of the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine and a third (booster) dose of the Moderna vaccine, according to health authorities. The security guard completed the third dose on the 29th of last month, and the taxi driver on the 5th of last month.

Zhuang Renxiang (莊人祥), Deputy Director of the Disease Control Department (CDC), stated that it appears they were breakthrough infected despite the third dose, and emphasized that the third dose reduces the risk of severe illness and death compared to those with only two doses, urging people to get the third dose.

Chen Shizhong (陳時中), Minister of Health, explained that if necessary, they are considering upgrading the level 3 epidemic prevention alert in the Taoyuan area, which currently prohibits private gatherings of more than 5 people indoors and more than 10 people outdoors, as well as the opening of movie theaters, but the timing and trend will be carefully assessed before making a decision.

Meanwhile, as of 2:30 PM local time on the 8th, the number of vaccinated people in Taiwan was counted as 18,766,646 (80.22%) for the first dose, 16,540,280 (70.7%) for the second dose, and 274,304 (1.18%) for the third dose (booster).