[Breaking News] Booster Shots for Vaccines to Start Next Month... Targeting Elderly and Medical Staff

On the 27th, as the spread of COVID-19 continues, a citizen is receiving a vaccine at the vaccination center set up at Bukahyeon Culture and Sports Center in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] Starting in October, additional COVID-19 vaccinations ('booster shots') will be administered to seniors aged 60 and over, immunocompromised individuals, and workers at medical institutions of hospital level or higher.

The COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team announced the "COVID-19 Vaccination Q4 Implementation Plan" containing these details on the 27th. This follows the recommendation made by the Vaccination Expert Committee on the 25th of last month to administer booster shots six months after completing the primary vaccination series.

Booster shots will be prioritized from next month for high-risk groups such as seniors aged 60 and over who have completed the primary vaccination six months prior, workers at hospital-level or higher medical institutions (including COVID-19 treatment hospitals), and residents of infection-vulnerable facilities. For immunocompromised individuals, booster shots will be prioritized if two months have passed since the primary vaccination, even if six months have not yet elapsed. The vaccine used for the booster shots will be messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines.

Pre-booking for seniors aged 60 and over, residents and workers of infection-vulnerable facilities, and other high-risk groups will begin on the 5th of next month. Vaccinations will start on the 25th of next month.

Approximately 60,000 workers at COVID-19 treatment hospitals, 500,000 patients, residents, and workers at nursing hospitals and facilities, and 340,000 workers at hospital-level or higher medical institutions will receive vaccinations through on-site vaccinations at medical institutions and visiting vaccinations, similar to the primary vaccination process. After a preliminary survey to assess demand, the required vaccine quantities will be delivered accordingly. Vaccinations will begin on the 12th of next month for COVID-19 treatment hospitals, November 10th for nursing hospitals and facilities, and November 15th for hospital-level or higher medical institutions.

Booster shot vaccinations for immunocompromised individuals will begin on November 1st following pre-booking starting on the 18th of next month. Eligible individuals include adults aged 18 and over who have difficulty forming immunity, such as those with acute leukemia or undergoing immunosuppressive therapy.

The Promotion Team plans to prepare detailed plans for the second phase of booster shots targeting the general public, including essential social workers, after completing this first phase of booster vaccinations.