보건복지부 영문홈페이지

Basic Directions for the COVID-19 Vaccination Scheme in the 2022-23 Winter

’22~’23년 동절기 코로나19 접종계획 기본방향

PRESS RELEASE

AUG 31, 2022

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) was debriefed by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (headed by Commissioner Kyong Ran Peck) on ‘Basic Directions for the COVID-19 Vaccination Scheme in the 2022-23 Winter’ and had a discussion on it.

 

This new immunization plan was formulated through consultation with experts and in a broad consideration of domestic and foreign approval trends for bivalent vaccines and production schedule thereof, study results of bivalent vaccines’ antibody titers, etc., prediction of future spread of COVID-19, etc.

‘The COVID-19 Vaccination Scheme in the 2022-23 Winter’ was established in consideration of previous domestic and foreign development and approval trends for bivalent vaccines, such inoculations’ efficacy, etc. The detailed plan is as follows:

 

(Title) The title of COVID-19 vaccination will be based on the inoculation period instead of the current focus on the vaccination series. Therefore, this new scheme will be titled ‘Booster COVID-19 Vaccination in the 2022-23 Winter.’

(Objective) The new booster shot plan aims to minimize health impact of COVID-19, while ➊ maintaining solid protection focused on health-vulnerable groups and utilizing the infection prevention effect of bivalent vaccines, and ➋ pursuing prevention of severe cases and fatalities through outbreak containment.

(Target) This vaccination will be allowed for adults aged 18 years or above but will prioritize immunization for health-vulnerable groups.

(Vaccination Interval) Considering the Aug 2022 guideline by WHO on booster shots recommends ‘another dose 4 to 6 months after the latest dose’, it is recommended that a booster shot be administered 4 to 6 months after the date of the latest dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection.

The inoculation interval, however, may be subject to change in the future, with reference to scientific evidence of diminished efficacy after the 4th vaccination, etc. and foreign trends in administration of bivalent vaccines, depending on results of relevant studies and the disease control situation.

(Vaccines to be administered) Considering development and approval timeline, BA.1-based bivalent vaccines will be the first to be administered as they are expected to be introduced earlier. Then, depending on status of approval, BA.4- and BA.5-based vaccines will be swiftly introduced and prepared for administration.

(Vaccination period) Basis preparations, including education of vaccination institutes and medical professionals and revision of criteria for implementation, will be made so that BA.1-based bivalent vaccines may be administered right after introduction.

The inoculation plan based on he COVID-19 Vaccination Scheme in the 2022-23 Winter may be subject to change, depending on ➊ the COVID-19 control situation, ➋ the dominant variant, ➌ vaccines’ efficacy, ➍ vaccines supply and demand status, ➎ status of approval and introduction of BA.4- and BA.5-based bivalent vaccines.

 

The government stated that it would fully prepare for the aforementioned variables, with an aim to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on people’s health, and ensure that the vaccination will be implemented in time.

 

// This English text of the press release is only for helping readers understand the original Korean text and is not final. For correct understanding, please look at the Korean text of the press release.

 

For inquiry, contact the Risk Communication Team of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (+82-43-719-9339).

 

Please refer to this link attached below for accurate reference:

http://www.mohw.go.kr/react/al/sal0301vw.jsp?PAR_MENU_ID=04&MENU_ID=0403&page=1&CONT_SEQ=372753