"COVID-19 7th Wave May Hit in December" ... Urging Vaccination (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] Jeong Gi-seok, head of the COVID-19 Special Response Team and member of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee, stated on the 17th, "A full-scale resurgence may occur in early December. Although it is difficult to predict the timing and scale, the 7th wave will happen," and emphasized, "High-risk groups should receive vaccination."

Explaining the results of the advisory committee meeting that day, Jeong pointed to the increasing trend of outbreaks in countries with considerable vaccination rates such as Italy, Germany, and France as evidence, forecasting that "there is a possibility of a full-scale resurgence in South Korea around early December." Currently, the weekly average daily confirmed cases have been declining since the end of August, remaining at the 20,000 level, but it is predicted that the outbreak may increase again as the number of people with waning immunity rises.

Jeong urged that, in preparation for the possible outbreak in early December, high-risk groups must get vaccinated. Immunity from vaccination is generally known to last about four months, and immunity from infection about six months. Therefore, elderly or infection-vulnerable individuals who received their last vaccination before August or were infected with COVID-19 before June must get vaccinated. Jeong said, "This year, the COVID-19 vaccine should be added to the flu vaccine," adding, "If both are administered together, we can get through this winter well and welcome a bright spring."

At the 7th advisory meeting held on the 13th, opinions were exchanged that the COVID-19 outbreak situation should be closely evaluated and analyzed to consider adjusting the infectious disease crisis level and grade. Currently, the infectious disease crisis level is at the 'serious' stage among the levels of interest, caution, alert, and serious. If it is lowered one step to the alert stage, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters will be disbanded, and the system will shift to the Central Accident Response Headquarters.

Regarding this, Jeong said, "There are concerns about difficulties if the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters is disbanded because public interest is still high and multiple ministries need to cooperate," adding, "Rather than specifying the timing of adjustment, if many people receive the improved vaccine during the winter season and the 7th wave comes very weakly, a phased easing can be sufficiently considered even before the 7th wave." He continued, "Ultimately, by passing through this winter and transitioning to a general medical care system, we need to establish a system that allows COVID-19 to be treated like flu care to avoid confusion on the ground."

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