COVID-19 to Become an Essential Vaccination…Support for Seniors 65 and Older and Immunocompromised Starting October 12

KDCA Announces 2026–2027 National Immunization Program Plan
COVID-19 Vaccination to Be Managed as Regular, Not Temporary, Immunization

The COVID-19 vaccination program, which had previously operated as a temporary immunization effort, will be converted into a mandatory vaccination program. Starting October 12, vaccinations will begin sequentially for high-risk groups, including seniors and individuals with weakened immune systems.

On September 17, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced the transition of COVID-19 vaccination to an essential vaccination program, unveiling the '2026–2027 COVID-19 National Immunization Implementation Plan'.

This change has been implemented as COVID-19 continues to generate new variants each year and possesses characteristics that enable it to evade pre-existing immunity. Therefore, high-risk groups, such as the elderly, require regular vaccination for proper management, similar to influenza. Notably, about 63% of all COVID-19 hospitalized patients are aged 65 or older, highlighting the persistently high risk of hospitalization, severe illness, and death within these groups. The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends routine COVID-19 vaccinations for seniors and other high-risk groups. Likewise, major countries around the world are supporting and recommending COVID-19 vaccination at a national level.

The KDCA stated, “To protect high-risk groups, we will manage the vaccinations not as a temporary measure used during pandemic outbreaks, but rather as a stable and sustainable essential vaccination program. We reached this decision after a comprehensive review of COVID-19 trends, WHO recommendations, and policy directions from major countries, in addition to consulting expert advisory meetings and the Vaccination Expert Committee between May and June this year.”

The COVID-19 National Immunization Program for the 2026–2027 period will start on October 12 and run until June 30 of the following year. Eligible groups include individuals aged 65 and older, immunocompromised persons, and those admitted to infection-prone facilities. The new XFG vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) will be administered to these groups. In principle, vaccination will occur once per year, but immunocompromised individuals will receive two doses annually.

Particularly, hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients require revaccination because most of their existing immunity is lost after the transplant. Basic and additional vaccinations will be available from 3 to 6 months up to 3 years after transplantation. Due to the variation in immune recovery rates and progress among patients, vaccinations should only proceed after consultation with a physician.

To prevent overcrowding at the start of the campaign for those aged 65 and above, different starting dates will be set by age group. Individuals aged 70 and older will be eligible starting October 12, while those aged 65–69 can begin vaccination from October 15. Immunocompromised persons and those in infection-prone facilities aged 12 and older can also receive vaccinations beginning October 12.

This campaign will utilize 4.84 million doses of the XFG vaccine. Seniors aged 65 and above may receive both COVID-19 and influenza vaccines on the same day. The KDCA recommends receiving both vaccines in a single visit to a healthcare provider; if both are administered at once, they must be injected into different areas of the body.

Vaccinations are available at nearby designated healthcare providers or public health centers, regardless of a person’s registered address. Eligible individuals must bring identification such as an ID card, resident registration, or health insurance card. Immunocompromised persons and similar groups must also present a diagnostic certificate, doctor’s note, or institutional admission certificate. Those not included in the national subsidy program can still obtain the COVID-19 vaccine at medical institutions that stock it for a fee. Some local governments offer separate initiatives to subsidize the vaccination cost.

After vaccination, redness and pain may occur but typically subside within 1–2 days. To monitor for adverse reactions such as anaphylaxis, recipients must remain at the healthcare facility for observation for 20–30 minutes after receiving the shot.

Im Seungkwan, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, stated, “The COVID-19 virus continues to undergo new mutations each year, allowing it to evade existing immunity, so it is important that high-risk groups receive annual vaccinations. In particular, I urge everyone aged 65 and older to conveniently receive both COVID-19 and influenza vaccines in a single visit.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.