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South Korea will begin offering government-funded influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations to people 65 and older in October, with eligibility opening in stages by age, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said.
Vaccinations Begin With the Oldest Adults
Flu vaccinations will open Oct. 6 for people 75 and older, followed by those ages 70 to 74 on Oct. 12 and those ages 65 to 69 on Oct. 15.
COVID-19 vaccinations will begin Oct. 12 for people 70 and older and Oct. 15 for those ages 65 to 69. Certain high-risk patients, including people with weakened immune systems, may receive vaccinations beginning Oct. 6 after consulting medical staff.
People age 12 and older who are immunocompromised, as well as residents of mental health facilities, homeless shelters and residential facilities for people with disabilities, may receive COVID-19 vaccinations starting Oct. 12 regardless of age. Nursing hospital and long-term care facility residents will follow separate schedules.
People may be able to receive flu and COVID-19 vaccines during the same visit after Oct. 6 if the medical facility stocks both vaccines and a doctor determines that co-administration is appropriate.
Earlier Flu Spread Prompts Schedule Change
The agency said it revised the timetable Sept. 16 because influenza began spreading earlier than usual. Officials considered the outbreak forecast, vaccine supplies, medical guidance and health care facilities’ readiness.
Vaccinations for children and pregnant women began Sept. 21. As of 6 p.m. Oct. 1, about 1.14 million children, or 23.1% of those eligible, and 76,000 pregnant women had received flu shots.
South Korea has prepared about 8.89 million flu vaccine doses and 4.84 million COVID-19 vaccine doses for older adults, with supplies to be distributed according to each age group’s start date.
Where to Get Vaccinated
Eligible people may visit a participating medical provider or public health center anywhere in the country, regardless of their registered home address. About 23,000 sites nationwide are participating. Locations can be found through the government’s vaccination assistance website at nip.kdca.go.kr.
Because the schedule has changed, officials advised people to confirm availability with the local public health center or vaccination website before visiting. Patients should bring identification and remain at the vaccination site for 20 to 30 minutes afterward so medical staff can monitor them for adverse reactions.
KDCA Commissioner Lim Seung-kwan said annual vaccination is important for people at high risk because circulating flu and COVID-19 variants change from year to year. He urged older adults to receive their shots according to the schedule for their age group.
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