Free Flu Vaccinations Starting Tomorrow... For Children, Pregnant Women, and Elderly in Order

Simultaneous COVID-19 Vaccination Recommended from Next Month 11 for Ages 5 and Older

National influenza (flu) vaccination to prepare for the winter flu season will begin on the 20th.

On November 2nd last year, Ji Young-mi, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, received simultaneous vaccinations of the new COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer XBB.1.5) and the influenza vaccine at Yonsei Woori Internal Medicine Clinic in Mapo-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on the 19th that the "2024~2025 Season Influenza National Vaccination" will be conducted from the 20th of this month until April 30th of next year.

Free vaccinations will be provided to children aged 6 months to 13 years (born between January 1, 2011, and August 31, 2024) who are at high risk of severe illness upon infection, pregnant women, and seniors aged 65 and older (born on or before December 31, 1959).

On the 20th, vaccinations will first begin for children who require two doses. This includes children aged 6 months to under 9 years who have no prior vaccination history or have only received one dose.

From October 2nd, children who require only one dose (those not in the two-dose group) and pregnant women will be eligible for free vaccination.

On October 11th, vaccinations for those aged 65 and older will start. On the same day, the 2024~2025 season COVID-19 vaccination will also begin, and health authorities recommend simultaneous administration of both vaccines.

The influenza vaccine forms protective antibodies about two weeks after vaccination. It is known that healthy adults achieve 70-90% prevention effectiveness through vaccination. Although effectiveness varies depending on the match between the vaccine and circulating virus strains and individual immunity, the KDCA explains that the vaccine is very important as it reduces the risk of severe illness and death in addition to preventing infection.

The vaccination uses a quadrivalent vaccine that includes strains recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The KDCA has signed a procurement contract for 11.7 million doses (single-dose units).

Vaccination is also available for a fee at primary medical institutions even for those not eligible for the national influenza vaccination program. Information on designated medical institutions or public health centers where vaccination is available can be found in the "Vaccination Management → Find Designated Medical Institutions" menu on the Vaccination Helper website.

When getting vaccinated, individuals must bring identification (for children, a resident registration certificate, National Health Insurance card, etc.; for pregnant women, a maternity handbook, etc.).

Starting this season, an electronic pre-screening questionnaire will be introduced to allow vaccine recipients to complete it in advance. The electronic pre-screening questionnaire can be accessed and completed on the Vaccination Helper website. Only the questionnaire completed on the day of vaccination is valid, and if receiving the COVID-19 vaccine simultaneously, separate electronic questionnaires must be completed for each vaccine.

Ji Young-mi, director of the KDCA, stated, "Influenza vaccination is a very effective means to reduce hospitalizations and deaths caused by influenza and to lessen the disease burden. We strongly recommend influenza vaccination for children, pregnant women, and seniors aged 65 and older in preparation for the winter flu season."