Only 0.3% of Severe COVID-19 Cases and Deaths Were Fully Vaccinated... "Please Actively Participate in Vaccination"

On the 2nd, citizens are receiving vaccines at the COVID-19 vaccination center set up at the Eunpyeong-gu Culture and Arts Center in Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Statistical data has been released showing that COVID-19 vaccination can reduce the risk of severe illness and death even if infected with COVID-19.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters disclosed on the 2nd the analysis results of severe cases and deaths among COVID-19 infected patients over the two months from May to June, based on vaccination status.

Among a total of 34,954 confirmed cases during the two months (patients observed for 28 days after confirmation), 33,797 (96.7%) were unvaccinated, representing the majority. Those who completed the first dose numbered 1,058 (3.0%), and those who completed the second dose were 99 (0.3%).

A total of 779 patients worsened to severe condition or died during the two months. Among them, 728 (93.5%) were unvaccinated. Specifically, among those under 60 years old, 256 out of 258 (99.2%) were unvaccinated, and among those aged 60 and over, 472 out of 512 (90.6%) were unvaccinated.

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, stated, "Even if infected with COVID-19, vaccination can prevent severe illness and death," and urged, "We ask the public to actively participate in vaccination."

Meanwhile, starting today, 1,269,000 unvaccinated elderly people aged 60 to 74 will be given the opportunity to make booster vaccination reservations. They will receive the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine at 8-week intervals. Unvaccinated individuals aged 75 and older, totaling 600,000, can receive the Pfizer vaccine at vaccination centers whenever they wish.

Health authorities had initially maintained the position that since these groups had already been given one opportunity to be vaccinated, considering fairness with other age groups, they would only be allowed to receive vaccination after November, when all willing citizens had completed vaccination. However, with the spread of the Delta variant and the continuation of the fourth wave, the policy shifted considering the high fatality and severity rates among the elderly. The proportion of confirmed cases aged 60 and over among total confirmed cases had remained in the single digits for four consecutive weeks at 8.1% → 7.6% → 7.9% → 9.2%, but rose to 10.5% last week.