"It's just a cold," you think... Ignore it, and your whole body aches... "This illness" has surged 3.7-fold from last year [The Benefits Handbook]

Flu cases surge to three times last year's level
National vaccination program for older adults begins
COVID-19 vaccinations for people aged 70 and older start October 12

Editor's Note"The more you know, the more you see." Even in an age overflowing with information, there are many things we miss without realizing it. In [The Benefits Handbook], we bring you useful news to help with everyday life.

"Cough, cough." As the weather turns chilly, we're hearing people cough more often. There are also noticeably more people wearing masks on the subway during the morning commute. This year's flu season began earlier than usual. Taking the spread into account, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued an influenza epidemic advisory for the 2026-2027 season on September 11.

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According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 33.0 out of every 1,000 patients who visited hospitals during the 39th week of this year (September 20-26) showed symptoms suspected to be flu. That is about 3.7 times the 9.0 recorded during the same period last year. The incidence was particularly high among infants, toddlers, and school-age children, while people aged 65 and older accounted for the largest number of hospitalized patients. The flu season is also lasting longer. The epidemic period over the past year (2025-2026) lasted 16 weeks, more than three times as long as the five weeks the year before.

"It'll get better in a few days": Ignoring the flu can have serious consequences... It causes high fever, chills, and muscle aches

The flu is often thought of as just a "bad cold," but colds and the flu have different causes. According to medical information from Seoul National University Hospital and other sources, colds can be caused by various viruses, while the flu is an acute respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Colds mainly cause respiratory symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose and a sore throat, whereas the flu is characterized by systemic symptoms such as a sudden high fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches.

Older adults aged 65 and above, people with chronic conditions such as cardiopulmonary disease, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease, pregnant women, and infants and toddlers are at greater risk of complications. Pneumonia is a common complication, and can be caused by the influenza virus itself or by a secondary bacterial infection.

You may wonder, "I got vaccinated last year; do I need to get vaccinated again this year?" However, annual flu vaccination is recommended. The influenza viruses in circulation can change from year to year, and the immunity provided by the vaccine also wanes over time.

The national influenza (flu) vaccination program for seniors aged 75 and older began on the 6th. Yonhap News Agency

Flu vaccinations for older adults begin, with age groups scheduled in stages... COVID-19 vaccinations start October 12

This year's national immunization program for children and pregnant women began on September 21. Vaccinations for older adults will be administered in stages by age group starting this month.

People aged 75 and older can receive the influenza vaccine starting October 6; those aged 70-74, starting October 12; and those aged 65-69, starting October 15. High-risk groups, including people with weakened immune systems, can get vaccinated starting October 6, regardless of age, after consulting with a medical professional.

COVID-19 vaccinations will begin on October 12 for people aged 70 and older, and on October 15 for those aged 65-69. People aged 12 and older with weakened immune systems, as well as those admitted to or residing in facilities for people vulnerable to infection, can get vaccinated starting October 12, regardless of the age-based schedule.

Promotional materials on national influenza and COVID-19 vaccination. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)

Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations under the national immunization program are available at nearby designated medical institutions and public health centers, regardless of your registered address. There are approximately 23,000 designated medical institutions nationwide. You can find them through your local public health center or on the Vaccination Assistant website.

On the Vaccination Assistant website, select "Find a Designated Medical Institution" and enter your province or metropolitan city, and your city, county, or district to find a nearby designated medical institution.

Check nearby medical institutions and vaccine availability on the Vaccination Assistant website. Screenshot of the Vaccination Assistant website.

Don't let your guard down after vaccination... Keep up handwashing and proper cough etiquette

Bring your ID when you get vaccinated, and it's a good idea to check with the medical institution beforehand to confirm that the vaccine is available. After vaccination, it is recommended that you remain at the medical institution for 20-30 minutes to watch for any adverse reactions.

You can take a light shower on the day of vaccination, but avoid rubbing or irritating the injection site. Avoid soaking in a bath, going to a sauna or jjimjilbang, and, if possible, refrain from drinking alcohol.

Experts emphasize that vaccination is no reason to neglect infection prevention measures. Wear a mask when needed in crowded places, and wash your hands thoroughly after going out. You should also practice proper cough etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when coughing or sneezing.

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