WHO Advisory Panel Recommends Additional Vaccination for Immunocompromised and Inactivated Vaccine Recipients

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] The World Health Organization (WHO) vaccine advisory group recommended additional COVID-19 vaccinations for immunocompromised individuals and those who received inactivated vaccines, major foreign media reported on the 9th (local time).

According to reports, the WHO advisory group, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE), reached this conclusion after holding a meeting on the 7th to assess the necessity of additional COVID-19 vaccinations. Inactivated vaccines refer to traditional vaccines that use viruses with replication ability removed to form antibodies in the body. China's Sinovac is a representative example.

Alejandro Cravioto, chair of SAGE, stated in a briefing, "According to the latest data, the effectiveness of vaccines against COVID-19 is decreasing, with a significant reduction especially observed in the elderly." Regarding the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, developed as a single-dose vaccine, he said, "It remains effective," but added, "Clinical trial results related to the two-dose regimen clearly show the benefits of additional vaccination."