South Korea has launched its annual flu-shot campaign, prioritising children, pregnant women, and older adults, as flu activity surges above last year’s levels, prompting early and staged vaccination efforts nationwide.
South Korea’s annual flu-shot campaign began on Monday for children and pregnant women, with older adults to follow in stages over the coming weeks, according to Yonhap News. The programme offers free influenza vaccinations at contracted clinics and public health centres nationwide, regardless of where recipients live.
Children born between 1 January 2012 and 31 August 2026 are eligible from the start date, with no distinction based on whether they need one dose or two. Pregnant women are also included in the first wave. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the staggered rollout is designed to make access easier while reducing the risk of flu spreading during the autumn and winter months.
For seniors, the schedule begins with people aged 75 and above on 6 October, followed by those aged 70 to 74 on 12 October and those aged 65 to 69 on 15 October. The agency has also said people at higher risk because of weakened immunity or other medical conditions may be vaccinated from 6 October after consulting a doctor, even if their age group is not yet due.
The campaign comes as flu activity is already running well above last year’s level. Surveillance at roughly 800 clinics found that 31.0 in every 1,000 outpatients with fever, cough or sore throat met the definition of influenza-like illness in the week of 6 to 12 September, compared with 6.7 a year earlier, Yonhap reported. That is a sign, public health officials said, that early vaccination remains important for children, expectant mothers and older adults alike.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
