Authorities Begin Administering Free Flu Vaccines, Starting with Children Who Have Never Received Flu Shots

COVID-19 Vaccination. Yonhap News

The government will begin administering free influenza vaccines to children, pregnant women, and the elderly beginning September 21.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced that it would launch its national influenza vaccination program for the 2022-2023 season from this day until April 30, 2023. The free vaccines will be provided to children ages six months to thirteen years (born on January 1, 2009 - August 31, 2022), pregnant women, and senior citizens ages 65 and older (born before December 31, 1957).

However, the vaccination period will be different for each group.

Children ages six months to nine years, who have never received a flu shot, can receive the vaccine immediately beginning September 21. They have to receive two doses of the vaccine. Other children only need to get one shot, which they can receive starting October 5. Pregnant women can also begin receiving the vaccine that day.

Among the older adults, vaccination will begin for citizens ages 75 and older on October 12, for those ages 70-74 on October 17, and for those ages 65-69 on October 20. Unlike children and pregnant women, vaccination of senior citizens will end on December 31 this year.

Those eligible for free vaccines can receive vaccine shots at public health centers and designated hospitals nationwide regardless of their address. They can search for the nearest designated hospital on the Vaccination Assistant website (https://nip.kdca.go.kr).

In the case of children with a serious allergy to eggs such as anaphylaxis, they can bring a doctor’s note or written diagnosis to designated public health centers and hospitals and receive a cell-based influenza vaccine.

People not included in the national flu vaccination project can receive the vaccine at clinics and hospitals for a certain price. These vaccines are not different from those provided for free. Some local governments provide additional support to cover the cost of flu shots, and citizens can contact their local public health center for more information.

People can also receive the influenza vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. They can be administered one on each arm.