COVID-19 Vaccination Rate Surpasses 20% for Those Aged 65 and Over

The cumulative COVID-19 vaccination rate for those aged 65 and older has surpassed 20%.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on the 2nd that as of 6 p.m. on the 1st, the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine recipients aged 65 and older was 1,967,557. The cumulative vaccination rate is 20.1%, more than 3.5 times higher than the rate of 5.7% during the same period last year. Among those aged 65 and older who were vaccinated, 34.1% received the influenza vaccine simultaneously.

On the 19th, when free COVID-19 vaccinations began for high-risk groups and seniors aged 65 and older, an elderly person visiting a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, received the Pfizer vaccine. General individuals aged 12 to 64 who are not in the high-risk group will be able to receive free vaccinations starting from the 1st of next month. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

According to the '23~24 Seasonal COVID-19 Vaccination Plan' announced by the government on September 26, vaccinations for high-risk groups such as seniors aged 65 and older, immunocompromised individuals aged 12 to 64, and residents, inpatients, and workers in vulnerable facilities have been underway since the 19th of last month. Free vaccinations for the general public also began on the 1st.

With the transition to a routine management system for COVID-19 this year, most quarantine measures have been eased or lifted. Under this policy direction, the importance of COVID-19 vaccination has increased to ensure stable management of COVID-19 and protection of high-risk groups. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is also on the rise. Based on the 4th week of October (22nd?28th), the number of confirmed cases was 8,635, a 17% increase compared to the previous week, marking a rise after 11 weeks. The proportion of elderly high-risk individuals among confirmed cases was around 38%. Although the number of confirmed cases had been decreasing for 10 consecutive weeks since the 2nd week of August, it increased by 1,248 cases (17%) compared to the previous week (7,387) in the 4th week of October.

The KDCA views the 23~24 seasonal COVID-19 vaccination rate as showing a higher trend compared to last year but still insufficient. On this day, Ji Young-mi, head of the KDCA, discussed Seoul’s COVID-19 vaccination status and plans to increase vaccination rates with the Seoul Medical Association and local governments, and gathered their opinions. Additionally, Director Ji received simultaneous COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations together with the president of the Korean Senior Citizens Association.

Ji Young-mi, head of the KDCA, urged, "As this winter is the first to welcome a return to normal life from COVID-19, I ask high-risk groups such as seniors aged 65 and older and those living with them to take care of their own and their families’ health for a safe year-end and New Year season."