‘COVID-19 vaccination essential for high-risk groups’

COVID-19 hospitalization rates surge

Vaccination reduces long COVID risk by 58%

Moderna to continue supplying variant-targeted products

Professor Jacob Lee, Division of Infectious Diseases at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital

The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients over the past six months has been about threefold that of influenza, underscoring the renewed importance of vaccination, particularly for high-risk groups.

 

Leading experts pointed out that vaccination not only prevents hospitalization and death but also lowers the risk of long COVID, recommending active participation in the simultaneous flu and COVID-19 vaccination campaign starting on the 15th of next month.

 

On the 30th, Moderna Korea held a press briefing at the Novotel in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, emphasizing the importance of COVID-19 vaccination.

 

COVID-19, a global acute respiratory infection since 2019, is now perceived largely as a mild illness thanks to the availability of vaccines and treatments.

 

However, it still poses a threat to certain high-risk groups.

 

High-risk groups for COVID-19 are those requiring special management due to a higher risk of severe illness or death upon infection.

 

These primarily include the elderly (aged 65 and older), individuals with chronic conditions (hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, cancer, etc.), and immunocompromised individuals.

 

The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations has been steadily increasing this year.

 

In the past six months, COVID-19 hospitalizations have been about three times higher than influenza.

 

Experts note that a large proportion of hospitalized COVID-19 patients are aged 65 or older, classified as high-risk.

 

In 2024, 19,562 elderly patients (65+) were hospitalized with COVID-19, compared with 6,205 influenza patients—roughly a threefold difference.

 

Because high-risk groups face greater risks of severe disease when infected, vaccination and careful health management remain crucial.

 

Leading experts, including the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases, recommend regular updated COVID-19 vaccinations for high-risk groups.

 

This is because immunity acquired through infection or vaccination diminishes over time, and new variants emerge.

 

Professor Jacob Lee of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital said, “Vaccination not only prevents hospitalization and mortality but also reduces the risk of long COVID by 58% according to reports.

 

COVID-19 is a disease with long-term sequelae.

 

Like influenza, it requires ongoing management.” He added, “COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations will begin simultaneously on October 15.

 

Vaccination this year is necessary to control infectious disease outbreaks next winter.” Sang-Pyo Kim, CEO of Moderna Korea, stated, “We will prioritize the stable supply of COVID-19 vaccines, with the primary goal of protecting high-risk patients, including the elderly aged 65 and above.” Moderna will continue supply of vaccines targeting new variants

Francesca Ceddia, Chief Medical Affairs Officer, Moderna Korea

Moderna has been continuously supplying vaccines in Korea that target new variants.

 

Recently, a new variant-specific vaccine also received domestic approval.

 

In May, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety authorized “Spikevax LP Inj,” a COVID-19 vaccine targeting the LP.8.1 variant.

 

Spikevax targets the spike protein on the surface of the coronavirus.

 

This protein binds to ACE2 receptors in the body, enabling viral entry and causing COVID-19 symptoms.

 

Spikevax's mechanism involves injecting the viral antigen gene in mRNA form, causing the body to synthesize an antigen protein with the same spike structure.

 

This protein induces the production of neutralizing antibodies, preventing the coronavirus from binding to the ACE2 receptor when it invades the human body, thereby neutralizing and eliminating the virus.

 

The newly approved Spikevax LP Inj has shown continued effectiveness in Phase IV real-world data.

 

In clinical studies involving adults aged 12–64 with underlying conditions and seniors aged 65+, neutralizing antibody levels against the LP.8.1 variant increased more than eightfold following vaccination.

 

Francesca Ceddia, Chief Medical Affairs Officer at Moderna Korea, emphasized, “Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to patients worldwide, with both efficacy and safety confirmed.

 

We also observed high immunogenicity comparable to that of the COVID-19 vaccine alone when administered concurrently with the flu vaccine.”