From Tomorrow, Vaccine Interval Shortened from 4 Months to 3 Months... "Referencing Overseas Trends" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] Starting from the 24th, regardless of the vaccination dose, individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine more than 3 months ago will be eligible for additional winter season vaccinations.

The COVID-19 Vaccination Response Task Force announced on the 23rd that the interval for additional winter season vaccinations will be shortened from 4 months (120 days) to 3 months (90 days) after the previous vaccination date or the date of confirmed infection. This decision was based on analysis showing that neutralizing antibody levels against the Omicron variant in high-risk groups begin to decline 7 weeks after the 4th dose, as well as projections that the peak of the winter outbreak may occur earlier than previously expected. The Task Force also cited international trends, noting that the United States administers vaccines every 2 months, while Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the European Union (EU) follow a 3-month interval.

From the 24th, individuals whose last vaccination was the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th dose, and for whom 90 days have passed since their previous vaccination date or confirmed infection date, can receive additional winter season vaccinations either on the same day or through prior reservation. The additional winter season vaccinations will use BA.1 and BA.4/5 updated vaccines, which have 2 to 5 times higher neutralizing antibody levels compared to the existing monovalent vaccines.

Furthermore, the Task Force announced that 3rd and 4th dose vaccinations using the existing Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax, and Skycovione vaccines will be discontinued starting from the 17th of next month. This is to increase the vaccination rate of the bivalent vaccines, which offer higher infection prevention efficacy. New reservations for 3rd and 4th dose vaccinations will also be suspended starting from the 28th. Individuals with existing reservations will receive individual text messages informing them of the suspension and recommending switching to the additional winter season vaccination.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) explained that following recent efforts to encourage vaccination, the vaccination rate among those aged 60 and over increased from 10.7% in the first week of November (November 1?7) to 17.1% in the third week of November (November 15?21). The KDCA stated, "As more people participate in vaccination, we will ensure convenience and provide sufficient information throughout the vaccination process to avoid any inconvenience." They also added, "We urge those who have not yet participated in vaccination, especially the elderly aged 60 and above and residents and workers in infection-vulnerable facilities, to get vaccinated."

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