Many breakthrough infections despite vaccination? Authorities say "Only 0.03% breakthrough infections among vaccinated, 'Pandemic among unvaccinated'"

"4th Wave is a Pandemic of the Unvaccinated"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] As the number of 'breakthrough infections'?cases of COVID-19 infection after completing vaccination?exceeds 2,000, raising doubts about the effectiveness of the vaccine, health authorities have repeatedly urged active participation in vaccination. They explained that compared to the total number of vaccinations, infections account for only 0.03%, and progression to severe illness or death is almost nonexistent.

On the 23rd, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH), stated at the COVID-19 briefing, "As breakthrough infection cases increase, some may feel that the vaccine's effectiveness is declining or hesitate to get vaccinated because of this, so I want to emphasize again," adding, "Although about 2,000 breakthrough infection cases have been reported, this accounts for only 0.03% of the total vaccination scale."

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), among 129,683 confirmed COVID-19 cases from February, when vaccination began, until the 12th of this month, 91.1% were unvaccinated. Those who had received only the first dose or were classified as incompletely vaccinated because 14 days had not passed since completing vaccination accounted for 7.3%, and confirmed cases among fully vaccinated individuals accounted for only 1.6% of the total.

Son said, "Currently, most of those infected (91%) are unvaccinated, and this is a similar situation abroad," adding, "The fourth wave is even referred to by another term as the 'unvaccinated pandemic.'" He continued, "If vaccinated, breakthrough infections themselves are fewer, and even if they occur, progression to severe illness or death is almost nonexistent."

He also urged vaccination participation, saying, "By the end of September, more than 70% of the entire population will have received the first dose, and full vaccination will reach about 50%."