Citizens Disheartened by Omicron Influx... Emergence of 'Vaccine Futility' Debate

Citizens Anxious Over Persistent Variant Virus Outbreaks
Omicron Infection Even Among Moderna Second Dose Recipients
Jung Eun-kyung: "Only a Very Small Number of Omicron Cases After Second Vaccine Dose"
"Disagree with 'Vaccine Futility' Theory, Emphasize Necessity of Third Dose"

Omicron virus graphic and vaccine syringe. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] As the new COVID-19 variant Omicron has been confirmed to have entered the country, the government activated emergency measures on the 3rd to temporarily halt the phased return to normal life (With Corona) and strengthen quarantine efforts.

Some voices have raised concerns about the continuous emergence of COVID-19 variants and breakthrough infections occurring even after completing vaccination, leading to the so-called "vaccine futility theory," which claims that "vaccines are useless."

The quarantine authorities emphasized that vaccines still have a high effectiveness not only in preventing COVID-19 infection but also in preventing severe illness and death, urging people to participate in the "third dose" to curb the spread of Omicron.

Recently, many posts expressing anxiety and frustration over the entry of Omicron have appeared on social networking services (SNS) and online communities. One netizen said, "Just when life starts to get better, a new variant comes along, so I feel very frustrated," adding, "A friend recently tested positive even after receiving the second dose. Seeing this, I wonder if getting vaccinated is really effective."

According to the quarantine authorities on the 1st, a total of six people, including a couple in their 40s who visited Nigeria, their family, and acquaintances, were confirmed to be infected with Omicron. The couple in their 40s, who were the first to be infected, visited Nigeria for missionary work and returned through Incheon Airport on the 24th of last month, underwent COVID-19 testing, and were confirmed positive on the 25th. It is known that the couple completed their second Moderna vaccine dose on October 28.

The quarantine authorities currently believe that Omicron has spread throughout the local community. Earlier, the couple in their 40s stated during epidemiological investigation that "they took a quarantine taxi when moving home after returning from Nigeria," but this was false. It was found that they actually rode in a car driven by a 30-year-old acquaintance A, who holds Uzbek nationality. As a result, A lived a normal life for four days until testing positive on the 29th of last month, during which many contacts occurred.

A citizen is receiving a vaccine at the COVID-19 vaccination center set up at the Mapo-gu Community Sports Center in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Concerns about the community spread of Omicron are growing, and cases of breakthrough infections among those who have completed the second vaccine dose have emerged, leading some to question vaccine efficacy and raise the vaccine futility theory. The argument is that if infection cannot be avoided even after vaccination, there is no need to take the risk of vaccination.

Choi, a worker in his 20s who completed the second Pfizer vaccine dose, said, "I got vaccinated because I was told to, but I am reluctant to get the third or fourth doses in the future," adding, "Variants keep emerging, and each time, we have to endure side effects and get additional shots. Honestly, I find it hard to believe that vaccines are very helpful."

Meanwhile, the government has mandated a 10-day quarantine for all entrants into the country from the 3rd to the 16th to prevent the spread of Omicron. This applies without exception even to those who have completed the second vaccine dose.

Additionally, the government announced strengthened quarantine measures starting from the 6th for four weeks, limiting private gatherings to a maximum of 6 people in the metropolitan area and 8 people in non-metropolitan areas. The application of the vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system (quarantine pass) will also be expanded to most multi-use facilities such as restaurants and cafes.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said in his opening remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the 3rd, "To quickly calm the rapidly increasing spread of infections, we are strengthening restrictions on private gatherings. The third dose for the elderly and basic vaccination for adolescents hold the key to quarantine. We earnestly ask for the active participation of the eligible individuals."

Regarding the vaccine futility theory raised by some, the government stated, "We cannot agree," and reiterated that the third additional dose is absolutely necessary.

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said at a regular briefing on the 2nd, "It is not yet clear how Omicron will affect vaccines or what the relationship is with vaccine effectiveness," but explained, "However, existing vaccines do not completely lose or significantly reduce their effectiveness against the Omicron variant. If an additional dose (third dose) is given on top of the basic vaccination, antibodies increase more quickly, enabling a response to Omicron."

Regarding the vaccine futility theory arising from the fact that the couple in their 40s infected with Omicron had completed the second vaccine dose, she said, "It is not appropriate to judge vaccine effectiveness or talk about futility based on a few cases," emphasizing, "Vaccines still have high effectiveness not only in preventing infection but also in preventing severe illness and death."