Health Authorities: "Bivalent Vaccine for Elderly Lowers Risk of Severe Illness and Death"

Additional Winter Vaccination. [Image Source=Yonhap News]

The health authorities repeatedly urged the elderly, who are a high-risk group for COVID-19, to receive additional vaccine doses.

According to the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team on the 16th, as of the second week of this month, among the average daily hospitalized severe cases and new deaths, those aged 60 and over accounted for 129 (88.4%) and 10 (90.9%) respectively, making up the majority.

The cumulative death rate per 100,000 population was 66.0 (fatality rate 0.11%), with higher age groups showing increased death and fatality rates. Looking at the cumulative death rates by age group, those aged 80 and over had 964.3, those in their 70s had 208.2, and those in their 60s had 54.1. In particular, the fatality rate for those aged 80 and above reached 1.95%.

However, the additional winter vaccination rate for those aged 60 and over was 35.2% of the eligible population, which is lower compared to the 62.2% vaccination rate in infection-vulnerable facilities. The health authorities emphasized the need for active vaccination participation, noting that about 800,000 people aged 60 and over have not completed the primary vaccination series (1st and 2nd doses).

Studies targeting the elderly both domestically and internationally have shown that receiving the bivalent vaccine significantly reduces the risk of progressing to severe illness even if infected with COVID-19. For those aged 60 and over, the additional bivalent vaccine dose showed a severe disease prevention effect of 94.1% compared to unvaccinated individuals, 49.0% compared to those who received 2 to 4 doses, and a death prevention effect of 93.9% compared to unvaccinated, and 33.7% compared to those with 2 to 4 doses.

Jiyoungmi, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said, "Although the number of confirmed cases is decreasing, most severe and fatal cases occur in those aged 60 and over, so caution is needed among the elderly." She added, "As domestic and international studies confirm the severe and death prevention effects of the bivalent vaccine, we strongly urge those aged 60 and over who have not yet received the additional winter vaccination to participate in the booster vaccination."

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