COVID-19 Vaccinations for Seniors and High-Risk Groups Begin October 15

KDCA to Use New LP.8.1 Vaccine
Simultaneous Influenza Vaccination Recommended for Seniors

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced on September 15 that it will conduct the 2025-2026 season COVID-19 vaccination for high-risk groups, including those aged 65 and older and immunocompromised individuals, from October 15 to April 30 of next year.

This round of vaccination will use the new LP.8.1 vaccine and targets the same high-risk groups as last season: seniors aged 65 and older, immunocompromised individuals aged six months and older, and residents or inpatients of infection-prone facilities. The vaccination aims to prevent severe illness and death among these groups.

For each group, vaccinations for seniors aged 65 and older will begin on October 15, starting with those aged 75 and above, and will proceed sequentially by age group. On the same schedule, they may also receive the influenza vaccine at the same time. Immunocompromised individuals aged six months and older, as well as residents or inpatients of infection-prone facilities, will also begin vaccinations on the same day.

A total of 5.3 million doses of the LP.8.1 vaccine will be used, and as in previous seasons, a single dose will complete the vaccination. However, for high-risk groups such as immunocompromised individuals under the age of 12, one or two doses may be required depending on their previous vaccination history, so they should consult with medical professionals before getting vaccinated.

Additionally, since those aged 65 and older are eligible for both influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations, the agency recommends that they receive both vaccines at the same time during a single visit to help ensure a safe winter.

The 2025-2026 season vaccination will be available at nearby designated medical institutions or public health centers, regardless of residence. For information on institutions offering simultaneous vaccination, individuals can contact their local public health center or check the Vaccination Helper website. When getting vaccinated, recipients must bring identification such as a resident registration certificate or National Health Insurance card for verification. After vaccination, they should remain at the facility for 20 to 30 minutes to monitor for any adverse reactions before leaving.

Im Seungkwan, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, stated, "Since the COVID-19 variants in circulation change every year, we strongly recommend that seniors aged 65 and older, immunocompromised individuals aged six months and older, and residents or inpatients of infection-prone facilities receive the new vaccine, which is effective against the most recent variant." He added, "In particular, we urge seniors aged 65 and older to conveniently receive both the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines during a single visit."