Chairman Jeong Gi-seok: "Reinfection Rate Will Exceed 5%... High-Risk Groups Must Get 4th Vaccination"

Active Administration of Treatments Including Paxlovid

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Jeong Gi-seok, Chair of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee, reiterated the need for high-risk groups to receive a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in preparation for the increasing trend of reinfections.

At the regular COVID-19 briefing on the 5th, Chair Jeong said, "Because the immune evasion ability of BA.5 is so outstanding, our country will soon exceed a reinfection rate of 5%," adding, "Some foreign countries have already surpassed 10%, so the increase in reinfections is an unavoidable phenomenon."

Chair Jeong explained that the reinfection trend will inevitably continue to rise as long as subvariants keep emerging.

He stated, "Especially for high-risk groups, studies show that reinfections can be more severe, so I urge them to get the fourth vaccine dose," adding, "For others, the only way to prevent reinfection is to strictly follow personal quarantine measures."

He also emphasized the need to actively administer Paxlovid to high-risk COVID-19 patients.

Chair Jeong said, "A study of 7,000 people treated with Paxlovid in Korea showed that the risk of severe illness, meaning the probability of ICU admission, dropped by 58%, and the risk of death decreased by 46%. If treatment is given promptly, the chance of becoming critically ill is halved, and the risk of death is reduced, so there is no reason not to use this drug."

However, since Paxlovid is most effective when administered within five days before the virus proliferates, fast-track and one-stop treatment centers capable of same-day diagnosis and treatment must be secured.

Chair Jeong said, "If you are 60 years or older, have underlying conditions, or if your family or acquaintances are 60 or older or have chronic illnesses requiring regular hospital visits, it is essential to recommend using this drug early, preferably on the day of diagnosis."

He also urged medical institutions, saying, "If it is difficult to check for contraindicated drug interactions one by one, the alternative is to use Lagevrio, and there is also the method of administering remdesivir injections in outpatient clinics for several days. These drugs are excellent in reducing fatality rates by half, so please thoroughly monitor and prescribe for these patients until the end."