In December, Nationwide Booster Shots Promotion... What About Janssen Recipients?

On the morning of the 27th, citizens are receiving vaccinations at the COVID-19 vaccination center in Mapo-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the quarantine authorities have announced plans to administer additional COVID-19 vaccine doses ('booster shots') starting in October for high-risk groups such as those aged 60 and over, immunocompromised individuals, and workers at hospital-level or higher medical institutions, attention is now focused on the subsequent plans.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team (Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency), stated at a special briefing on the 27th, "Since the start of COVID-19 vaccinations in February, as time has passed after the primary vaccination, the need for additional doses has increased due to the recent decline in vaccine effectiveness and the occurrence of breakthrough infections." She added, "Based on the deliberations of the Vaccination Expert Committee and trends in additional vaccinations overseas, we plan to prioritize booster shots for high-risk groups including immunocompromised individuals, the elderly, and healthcare workers."

The booster shots will be prioritized from next month for high-risk groups such as those aged 60 and above who have completed their primary vaccination at least six months ago, workers at hospital-level or higher medical institutions (including COVID-19 treatment hospitals), and residents of infection-vulnerable facilities. For immunocompromised individuals, booster shots will be prioritized if two months have passed since their primary vaccination, even if six months have not yet elapsed. The vaccines used for the booster shots will be messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines.

Following this, vaccination for the general public is being considered to start from December. Director Jung said, "We are currently reviewing detailed plans for additional vaccinations for the general public, and once finalized, we will announce them separately."

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters), is explaining key points such as the fourth-quarter vaccination plan and expert opinions on vaccination for children and adolescents during a special COVID-19 briefing held at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in Cheongju, Chungbuk, on the afternoon of the 27th. On the left is Choi Eun-hwa, Chairperson of the Vaccination Expert Committee (Professor of Pediatrics at Seoul National University Children's Hospital).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, regarding plans for additional vaccinations for recipients of the Janssen vaccine, which was developed as a 'single-dose' vaccine and has sparked controversy over the duration of its efficacy, it is expected that booster shots may be administered after December.

Director Jung assessed, "Among suspected breakthrough infection cases, the number of Janssen vaccine recipients is somewhat higher, and since many people in their 30s received the Janssen vaccine, the numbers appear higher." He continued, "There is clearly a limitation due to the single-dose nature of the Janssen vaccine. Since people in their 30s, who mainly received Janssen, are currently leading the outbreak and have had more exposure, there is a possibility of more infections occurring," suggesting the likelihood of additional vaccinations for Janssen recipients.

Janssen has also emphasized the need for booster shots by releasing research results on their effectiveness. On the 21st, Johnson & Johnson, Janssen's parent company, disclosed research findings showing that administering a booster dose two months after the initial Janssen vaccination increased the preventive efficacy from 66% to 94%, and antibody levels rose by 4 to 6 times. They also claimed that the prevention rate of severe cases reached 100%. However, these announcements are based on preliminary research results and have not yet undergone peer review.

Furthermore, even if booster shots for Janssen vaccine recipients are implemented, since Janssen vaccinations began on June 10 and the authorities have set the booster shot administration point at six months after vaccination, practical additional vaccinations are likely to take place only after December.