With New Variant Emergence, "Will Nth Dose Vaccination Become Reality?"... Growing Concerns Over Recurrent Outbreak in Second Half of Year

'Relaxed Social Distancing' Applied... Shortening of Isolation Period for Confirmed Cases Under Review
New COVID Variants Found Worldwide... Concerns Over Resurgence
Health Authorities "Reviewing Vaccination Plans for Fall and Winter Resurgence"
However, Concerns Over Additional Vaccinations... European Medicines Agency "Frequent Vaccinations May Weaken Immunity"

On the morning of the 28th of last month, medical staff at the Seoul Station screening clinic are preparing genetic test kits. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Although the domestic COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea has entered a declining phase, new variant viruses have been discovered in countries around the world, leading to forecasts that so-called 'Nth round vaccinations' could become a reality. The quarantine authorities announced that they are reviewing plans to establish vaccination schedules in preparation for a resurgence of COVID-19 in the fall and winter seasons.

Currently, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Korea is decreasing but still approaching 200,000. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as of midnight on the 6th, the number of new confirmed cases was 286,294, a decrease of 138,292 from a week earlier (425,586 on the 30th of last month).

In response, the government has applied relaxed social distancing measures since the 4th, allowing private gatherings of up to 10 people and extending the operating hours of multi-use facilities such as restaurants and cafes until midnight. If the downward trend continues, the government plans to abolish social distancing measures altogether. Discussions are also underway to shorten the isolation period for confirmed cases from the current 7 days to 5 days.

However, as new variants continue to emerge worldwide, the quarantine authorities remain on high alert. Following the discovery of the 'XE' variant in the UK and Taiwan in January, the 'XJ' variant was recently found in Thailand. Neither variant has yet been confirmed to have entered South Korea, but it is speculated that their transmissibility may be higher than that of existing viruses. Previously identified variants, Omicron 'BA.1' and stealth Omicron 'BA.2', have already become dominant strains domestically due to their high transmissibility.

Accordingly, the quarantine authorities are considering additional vaccinations. On the 5th, Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Division at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated at a regular briefing, "In addition to the fourth dose, we are reviewing vaccination plans in preparation for a possible resurgence in the fall and winter." He added, "Vaccination is always necessary. Although the vaccine's effectiveness has been maintained so far, it may weaken, and seasonal factors in the fall could cause another outbreak," emphasizing the need for vaccination.

On the afternoon of February 14, when the fourth dose vaccination began for immunocompromised individuals among those who completed the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, medical staff at a hospital in Seoul administered the Novavax vaccine.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Currently, the fourth dose is being administered to high-risk groups such as immunocompromised individuals. As of midnight on the 4th, 286,883 people have received the fourth dose. For children aged 5 to 11, the first dose is being administered, and for adolescents aged 12 to 17, the third dose is underway.

Some voices have expressed concerns regarding additional vaccine doses. There are concerns that periodic vaccinations could overload the immune system. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) stated on January 11 (local time) that "repeated vaccinations every 3 to 4 months could weaken the immune system and is not a sustainable approach." Marco Cavaleri, head of the EMA vaccine strategy, also said, "One or two additional doses can be given, but continuous repetition should be avoided," recommending longer intervals between vaccinations.

However, the Korean quarantine authorities explained that the EMA's concerns do not apply to the fourth dose. On the 13th of the same month, Kim Ki-nam, head of the Vaccination Management Division at the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Headquarters, said at a regular briefing, "The EMA official's remarks seem to express concerns about repeated additional vaccinations after the first dose, rather than about the third or fourth doses. The concern is about the burden on the immune system if Nth round vaccinations are administered repeatedly at short intervals," clarifying the issue.

There are also concerns that additional vaccinations using existing vaccines may be less effective against new variants. Regarding this, Lee Sang-won stated at the regular briefing on the 5th, "The effectiveness of vaccines varies greatly depending on the variant. It is possible that a virus completely resistant to vaccines could emerge, but it is also possible that a virus well adapted to vaccines could appear. We are continuously analyzing and monitoring variants. We will comprehensively analyze and reflect this information to establish vaccination plans," he emphasized.

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