South Korea’s 2026-27 Flu and COVID-19 Vaccinations: Start Dates, Eligibility and How It Works
Korean edition: 독감·코로나 무료접종 일정 (haesul.com) · Naver
Summary: South Korea’s national flu and COVID-19 vaccinations for people aged 65 and over are being rolled out by age group this month. Flu shots start on October 6 for people aged 75+, on October 12 for ages 70–74 and on October 15 for ages 65–69. COVID-19 shots start on October 12 for people aged 70+ and on October 15 for ages 65–69. People aged 65 and over can get both vaccines in the same visit. (KDCA via Korea.kr, Yonhap)
How Korea’s national vaccination programme works
Vaccinations are run by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), Korea’s counterpart to the US CDC, through its National Immunization Program. Under this programme, shots are given at designated private clinics (about 23,000 nationwide) and at public health centres (bogeonso), the local government clinics found in every district. You can go to any nearby designated clinic or health centre regardless of your registered address. (KDCA via Korea.kr, Yonhap)
This season KDCA moved COVID-19 vaccination from a “temporary” programme, the type used in pandemic emergencies, to a regular “essential” one, managed every year like flu vaccination. KDCA says it decided this after reviewing infection trends, WHO recommendations and the policies of countries such as the US, Japan, the UK and Australia. (KDCA) This comes from KDCA’s own release only.
KDCA brought the flu schedule forward because flu season started early this year. (KDCA via Korea.kr, Yonhap)
Start dates by age
| Age group (birth date) | Flu | COVID-19 |
|---|---|---|
| 75 and over (born on or before Dec 31, 1951) | From Oct 6 | From Oct 12 |
| 70 to 74 (born 1952–1956) | From Oct 12 | From Oct 12 |
| 65 to 69 (born Jan 1, 1957 to Dec 31, 1961) | From Oct 15 | From Oct 15 |
Birth-date ranges are from KDCA’s tables. (KDCA, KDCA via Korea.kr)
Other eligible groups
- High-risk groups, including immunocompromised people: can get a flu shot from October 6, regardless of age, after talking to a doctor. (KDCA via Korea.kr, Yonhap)
- Immunocompromised people aged 12 and over, and residents of high-risk facilities (such as homeless shelters and residential facilities for people with disabilities): COVID-19 shots from October 12. (KDCA, Yonhap)
- Children and pregnant women: their flu shots began on September 21. As of 6 pm on October 1, about 1,143,000 children and about 76,000 pregnant women had been vaccinated. (KDCA via Korea.kr, Yonhap)
According to KDCA, this season’s COVID-19 campaign uses an updated XFG vaccine (Moderna and Pfizer). It is one dose for most people and two for immunocompromised people, and runs until June 30, 2027. These details come from KDCA’s release only and have not been cross-checked with a second source. (KDCA)
Are foreign residents eligible?
Unknown from these sources. None of the KDCA releases or the Yonhap report used here says whether foreign residents or visitors qualify, or whether they need an Alien Registration Card or national health insurance. KDCA’s release lists ID, a resident registration certificate or a National Health Insurance card as documents to confirm eligibility, but does not mention foreigners. (KDCA) If you are a foreign resident, ask your local public health centre or a designated clinic, or check KDCA’s Vaccination Helper site (nip.kdca.go.kr) before you go.
Whether the shots are free is also not stated in KDCA’s two releases or the Yonhap report. We have left it out.
Before you go
- Check which clinics have the vaccine on the Vaccination Helper site (nip.kdca.go.kr) or with your local health centre. (KDCA, Yonhap)
- Bring ID. (KDCA via Korea.kr, KDCA) Both are KDCA documents.
- Stay at the clinic for 20–30 minutes afterwards so staff can watch for reactions. (KDCA via Korea.kr, KDCA) Both are KDCA documents.
FAQ
When can people aged 65–69 get vaccinated?
From Thursday, October 15, for both flu and COVID-19.
Can I get both shots on the same day?
KDCA says people aged 65 and over can get both vaccines in one visit. Clinics that stock both vaccines could give them together from October 6. (KDCA, Yonhap) Ask your doctor about your own health.
Do I have to go to a clinic in my own district?
No. You can go to any nearby designated clinic or public health centre, regardless of your registered address.
Can foreigners get the shot?
The sources used here do not say. Check with a public health centre.
This article summarises public KDCA information and news reporting and is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or other medical professional about whether and when to get vaccinated, and about underlying conditions or side effects. Written by the Haesul Global health desk with AI assistance.
Sources
- Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), Sept 17, 2026 (for Sept 18 release), “’26-’27절기 코로나19 국가예방접종 시행계획 발표” (2026-27 COVID-19 national vaccination plan), https://www.kdca.go.kr/bbs/kdca/42/312644/artclView.do (2026년 10월 14일 확인)
- Korea.kr policy briefing (KDCA), Oct 2, 2026, “어르신 독감 예방접종 6일부터…코로나19 접종은 12일 시작” (Seniors’ flu shots from the 6th, COVID-19 from the 12th), https://www.korea.kr/news/policyNewsView.do?newsId=148972954 (2026년 10월 14일 확인)
- Yonhap News Agency, Oct 2, 2026, “65세 이상 독감 예방접종 6일 시작…75세 이상부터 순차적으로” (Flu shots for 65+ start on the 6th), https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20261002040100530 (2026년 10월 14일 확인)
