Delta Variant Breaks Through Among Young People in Leading Vaccine Countries

Spread Mainly Among Those Under 30, Who Are Lower Priority for Vaccination

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Warning signs of a COVID-19 resurgence are emerging in Israel, the first country in the world to lift mask mandates. Israel lifted the outdoor mask mandate in April and extended the removal of indoor mask requirements as of the 15th. However, since then, clusters of infections have been occurring in schools attended by children and adolescents who are the descendants of vaccinated individuals.

According to local media including The Jerusalem Post on the 21st (local time), more than 10 people tested positive at one school on the 18th, followed by clusters of about 40 people at two other schools on the 19th.

Israeli authorities estimate that about 70% of the new confirmed cases are the Delta variant. A senior official from the Ministry of Health told Channel 12, "The India-origin variant is noticeably gaining ground in Israel," adding, "We will work to increase vaccination rates among 12- to 15-year-olds."

The Times of Israel reported that "reintroducing mask-wearing in all indoor places such as airports is under consideration." This comes just days after the indoor mask mandate was lifted.

Most Delta variant infection cases in leading vaccination countries are among younger people who have not yet been vaccinated. The UK, which started vaccinations earliest, is experiencing a similar situation.

In the UK, where over 90% of new infections are the Delta variant, concerns have been raised that people under 30 could become a 'reservoir' for the Delta variant once all adults are vaccinated. Professor Julian Tang of the University of Leicester told The Guardian, "A significant number of Delta variant cases in the UK are among unvaccinated individuals under 30," adding, "If infections concentrate among minors such as students, new variants could emerge."

Australia, a COVID-free country, mandated mask-wearing on public transportation in Sydney starting on the 18th as Delta variant cases continued to rise. After recording zero community cases for 40 days, the government took emergency measures as new cases emerged daily.

In leading vaccination countries such as the UK, opinions suggest that full lifting of lockdowns, including mask mandates, should occur only after 70% of adults have received their second vaccine dose. According to the international statistics site Our World in Data, Israel's vaccination completion rate is 56.9%, while the UK’s is 47.4%.