Namwon-si Shortens COVID-19 Vaccine Interval from 4 Months to 3 Months

[Namwon=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Young-kwon] Namwon City, Jeonbuk announced on the 25th that starting from the 24th, the interval for the additional COVID-19 winter vaccination (bivalent vaccine) will be shortened from 4 months to 3 months for those aged 18 and over who have completed their second dose, counting from the last vaccination date or the date of infection.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency stated that this decision was made based on the analysis of neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant, which showed a decrease in neutralizing antibodies starting 7 weeks after the fourth dose, and the expectation that the peak of the winter epidemic could occur earlier than previously predicted.

The bivalent vaccine used for the winter additional vaccination is more effective against the currently circulating virus compared to the existing vaccine, with neutralizing antibody levels 1.56 to 2.6 times higher than those of the original vaccine.

In such winter epidemic situations, the bivalent vaccine, which is more effective than the monovalent vaccine, is recommended as a priority.

As the COVID-19 resurgence intensifies, a one-month intensive vaccination period for the winter additional vaccination has been in operation since the 21st, and the Namwon City Public Health Center is conducting on-site vaccinations at infection-vulnerable facilities to improve vaccination rates among high-risk groups.

Advance reservations can be made through the reservation website or by phone, and same-day vaccinations are available by reserving leftover vaccines via KakaoTalk or Naver, or by using a standby list through direct contact with medical institutions.

Han Yong-jae, director of the Namwon City Public Health Center, said, “To prepare for the COVID-19 resurgence, reduce the risk of severe illness and death, and prevent transmission within families, we urge not only high-risk groups but also younger people to actively participate in vaccination.”

Namwon=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Young-kwon baekok@asiae.co.kr