The government announced today (4th) that it is considering a plan to give a fourth dose to immunocompromised patients, such as leukemia patients, who have completed the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, it was pointed out that the fourth vaccination for the general public is only reviewing overseas cases and not at the stage of deciding whether to implement it.
Sohn Young-rae, head of the social strategy division of the Central Accident Resolving Headquarters (heavy water version), said at a regular Corona 19 briefing today, "There may be cases where immunity cannot be secured even if the second or third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is said to be immunocompromised, is not secured. We are discussing vaccination with experts,” he said.
Immunocompromised refers to patients suffering from acute or chronic leukemia, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, cancer, or receiving immunosuppressive treatment through organ transplantation.
The government started the third vaccination in November last year considering the characteristics of immunocompromised individuals who do not easily develop COVID-19 antibodies.
As an exception, the third vaccination was made possible only two months after the second vaccination.
If the government decides on the fourth vaccination for the immunocompromised, it is expected that the vaccination will be done around February.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) is planning to hold a special vaccination committee meeting this month to discuss the subject and timing of vaccination.
The government emphasized that nothing has been decided at the moment as it is observing overseas cases for the fourth vaccination for the public except for immunocompromised people.
Director Sohn said, "Now is the time when the third vaccination is in full swing, and in particular, it is time to further analyze how effective the vaccination will be for the omicron mutation, which will become the dominant species in the future. "He said.
Overseas, Israel, which started the world's first booster vaccination, started the fourth vaccination.
The US and the UK are being cautious.
American pharmaceutical company Pfizer and others are developing improved vaccines that can protect against mutated viruses, and there are voices that the improved vaccine should be used even if the fourth or regular vaccination is administered.
Director Sohn said, "When signing a vaccine purchase contract, we designed a clause that, if a new vaccine against mutations is developed, the domestic introduction can be replaced with a new product as a side condition." "If an effective vaccine is developed, discuss introduction possible structure,” he explained.
(Photo = provided by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Yonhap News)