Authorities "No Consideration for Vaccine Pass Implementation for Ages 5-11... Preparing for Vaccination"

On the 21st, the COVID-19 screening clinic at Nowon-gu Public Health Center in Seoul was crowded with citizens seeking tests. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced that as of midnight, the number of new confirmed cases increased by 5,202, bringing the total to 575,615. There are 1,022 critically ill patients, the second highest number ever. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The COVID-19 quarantine authorities announced that they are currently not considering the introduction of a vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system (quarantine pass) for children aged 5 to 11.

On the 21st, Hong Jeongik, head of the vaccination management team at the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, conveyed this during the afternoon briefing held by the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH).

The approval for vaccine use in children aged 5 to 11 by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is expected to be issued early next year. Hong said, "We have not yet established a specific vaccination plan for children aged 5 to 11, but we are preparing for vaccination," adding, "Since the number of overseas cases approving or implementing vaccination for 5 to 11-year-olds is gradually increasing, we judged that preparation is necessary." "We also need to consider public acceptance if actual vaccination is implemented."

Research results showing that the domestically developed COVID-19 antibody treatment, Regkirona, reduces the progression rate to severe illness by nearly 80% were also introduced on the same day. A CDCH official stated, "From December last year to May this year, we recruited 778 mild and moderate COVID-19 high-risk patients and analyzed the preventive effect of the antibody treatment on severe progression," adding, "Among 234 patients treated with Regkirona, only 5 progressed to severe illness, resulting in a severe progression rate of 2.1%." The symptomatic treatment group without antibody treatment consisted of 544 patients, of whom 52 (9.6%) progressed to severe illness.

Additionally, it was explained that the 40 million doses of the Novavax vaccine from the US pharmaceutical company, originally scheduled for domestic supply this year, will be introduced next year. Hong said, "Since MFDS approval has not been granted, the entire supply will be postponed to next year," adding, "We plan to apply for approval and receive supply in a usable state after approval."

Commercialization of the Omicron COVID-19 variant diagnostic kit is expected by the end of this month. Previously, domestic companies such as Bioneer and Seegene developed kits for detecting Omicron, and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has begun final efficacy verification of related prototypes.