"Most Recent Severe Cases and Deaths Among Elderly... Vaccination Rate Much Lower Compared to Influenza"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] The health authorities have urged additional COVID-19 vaccinations during the winter season, stating that although the recent decline in COVID-19 cases continues, severe cases and deaths are concentrated among those aged 60 and above.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters' COVID-19 Vaccination Response Task Force on the 18th, during the second week of this month (9?15), the average daily number of severe patients aged 60 and above was 261, accounting for 89.4%. Among the average daily deaths, 19 were aged 60 and above, representing 95.0%. As of the fourth week of January, the COVID-19 fatality rate was 0.11%, an increase of 0.02 percentage points compared to the previous week. The health authorities analyze that although the COVID-19 outbreak is decreasing, the proportion of severe patients and deaths among the elderly confirmed cases is rising.

The fatality rate increases with age. The fatality rate for those aged 80 and above is 1.96%, for those in their 70s it is 0.45%, and for those in their 60s it is 0.12%. This is relatively higher than the estimated fatality rates for influenza (flu), which are 0.03?0.07% (World Health Organization) and 0.06?0.18% (U.S. CDC).

However, as of the 15th, the additional winter vaccination rate for those aged 60 and above was 32.3%, which is less than half of the influenza vaccination rate (66.2%).

The health authorities cited research findings that COVID-19 vaccination reduces the risk of severe progression and long-term complications even if infected, and stated, "Health-vulnerable groups, including those aged 60 and above who account for the majority of severe cases and deaths, must participate in the additional winter vaccinations." An analysis of vaccination effectiveness among confirmed cases over the past four weeks showed that receiving the bivalent vaccine reduced the risk of severe progression by 92.1% compared to unvaccinated individuals.