KMA Recommends Additional Vaccinations for 'High-Risk Groups' Including Those Over 60 and Patients with Underlying Conditions

"Additional Vaccinations with Pfizer and Moderna Bivalent Vaccines"
Emphasis on Early Prescription of Oral Antiviral Treatments

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[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] As the winter resurgence of COVID-19 has begun in earnest, the Korean Medical Association has recommended additional vaccinations for high-risk groups such as seniors aged 60 and over and residents of infection-vulnerable facilities.

The KMA COVID-19 Countermeasures Committee issued a recommendation on the 23rd, stating, "Influenza is also spreading simultaneously along with COVID-19, making this winter a very critical period for overcoming COVID-19," and added, "The health of seniors and immunocompromised individuals is very concerning during this winter COVID-19 resurgence."

The committee first recommended additional COVID-19 vaccinations for high-risk groups. The committee emphasized, "The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in preventing severe illness and death has been proven through various studies," and "especially for the elderly, who have a higher fatality rate compared to other age groups, vaccination is important to prevent severe illness and death." The committee particularly recommended that those aged 60 and over and patients with underlying conditions receive additional vaccinations unless contraindicated.

They recommended the Pfizer and Moderna bivalent vaccines for the additional doses. These bivalent vaccines are based on the currently circulating Omicron variant, making them more effective. The committee explained, "except for those who have contraindications to some mRNA vaccines, we recommend receiving the mRNA bivalent vaccines, which are available at over 14,000 vaccination medical institutions nationwide."

Additionally, the committee emphasized that elderly individuals and patients with underlying conditions who become infected with COVID-19 should be prescribed and take oral antiviral treatments early. The committee stated, "Since most patients do not experience significant side effects, in cases where there are concerns about drug interactions, temporarily discontinuing medications for underlying conditions and prescribing antiviral drugs early is recommended," and "we also encourage the public to take antiviral medications promptly according to their doctor's prescription."

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