Children requiring two doses and pregnant women to receive shots first

Eligible age for free children's vaccination expanded from 13 to 14

City urges mask-wearing as weekly cases double from prior week

A promotional image for Seoul's free influenza vaccination program, created using AI. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]
A promotional image for Seoul's free influenza vaccination program, created using AI. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]

With influenza cases rising sharply and an epidemic alert now in effect, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will begin offering free vaccinations starting with children and pregnant women. This year, the city is also expanding the free vaccination program to cover children up to age 14, up from the previous cutoff of 13.

Seoul announced Wednesday that free influenza vaccinations will be available starting Monday for children, pregnant women and senior citizens, with the program running through April 30 next year. Shots will be administered in phases based on age group.

Surveillance data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency showed that influenza-like illness cases — defined as patients with a fever of 38 degrees Celsius or higher accompanied by a cough or sore throat — reached 25.3 per 1,000 outpatients at primary care clinics during the week of Aug. 30 to Sept. 5, roughly double the 13.3 recorded the previous week.

That figure is also nearly four times the 6.6 cases per 1,000 outpatients recorded during the same period last year. "Vaccination is needed for vulnerable groups," a Seoul city official said.

The rollout begins with children who require two doses of the influenza vaccine and with pregnant women. Those who need only a single dose may receive it starting Sept. 28.

The expansion of the national vaccination support program to age 14 means children born on or after Jan. 1, 2012, are now eligible. The two-dose requirement applies to children aged 6 months to under 9 years who are receiving the influenza vaccine for the first time or have an incomplete vaccination history; the two shots are given at least four weeks apart.

Senior citizens aged 65 and older will be vaccinated in stages by age group: those 75 and older may receive shots starting Oct. 12, those aged 70 to 74 starting Oct. 15, and those aged 65 to 69 starting Oct. 19. Residents may receive both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines in a single clinic visit.

Seniors aged 65 and older living in nursing hospitals or care facilities may be vaccinated as soon as supplies arrive after Monday.

Eligible residents may receive free vaccinations at any designated contracted medical institution regardless of their registered address; a list of participating clinics is available on the KDCA's vaccination information website. Seoul also plans to provide vaccination details through its 120 Dasan Call Center and the city's official website.

As influenza continues to spread, Seoul urged residents to follow preventive measures, including wearing masks. The city particularly recommends mask-wearing at infection-vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals and care centers, as well as at schools and daycare centers. Schools and daycare centers will be advised to ask students and young children with fever or respiratory symptoms to stay home and seek medical care. The city also called on residents to wash their hands regularly, ventilate indoor spaces and practice proper cough etiquette.

"Influenza cases are rising at a higher level than in previous years, so we urge residents eligible for vaccination to check the schedule and get vaccinated at the right time," said Jo Yeong-chang, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Public Health Bureau.


ken@heraldcorp.com