Pyeongchang County to Offer Free National Influenza Vaccinations in Stages

Pyeongchang County in Gangwon Province will begin the national influenza (flu) vaccination program, offering free vaccinations in stages from September 22, 2025, through April 30, 2026, to prepare for the winter flu season.

Pyeongchang County Office building.

The free vaccination is available to children aged 6 months to 13 years, pregnant women, and seniors aged 65 and older. Regardless of their registered address, eligible individuals can receive the vaccine at public health centers or one of 13 designated medical institutions in the area by presenting identification. Seniors aged 65 and older can receive both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time.

The designated vaccination sites for children vary by age group. Preschool children can only be vaccinated at Pyeongchang County Public Health Center, Jinbu Yonsei Internal Medicine Clinic, or Hansarang Clinic. Elementary school-aged children and older can also be vaccinated at public health centers. However, it is essential to contact public health branches and sub-centers in advance, as vaccine availability may differ by location.

The vaccination schedule is as follows: children requiring two doses may be vaccinated from September 22; children requiring one dose and pregnant women (with supporting documents such as a maternity handbook) from September 29; seniors aged 75 and older from October 15; seniors aged 70 to 74 from October 20; and seniors aged 65 to 69 from October 22.

Additionally, those eligible for free vaccination under Pyeongchang County ordinances include recipients of the National Basic Livelihood Security Program, national merit recipients, employees and residents of social welfare facilities in Pyeongchang County (limited to registered facilities), and individuals with severe disabilities. These groups may receive the vaccine at the public health center, branches, or sub-centers from October 15 until supplies are exhausted.

Vaccination hours at the public health center are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and at public health branches and sub-centers from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. To allow for post-vaccination observation, visitors must arrive at least 20 minutes before closing. As schedules at public health branches and sub-centers may change depending on clinical operations, it is necessary to confirm by phone in advance.

Starting this season, in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations and the Immunization Advisory Committee's review, the program will switch from the previous quadrivalent vaccine to a trivalent vaccine. The trivalent vaccine excludes the B/Yamagata virus antigen, which has not been detected for an extended period. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency stated, "There is no difference in effectiveness or safety compared to the previous quadrivalent vaccine."

Kim Soonran, head of the Health Policy Division at Pyeongchang County, said, "With concerns about the simultaneous spread of COVID-19 and influenza, we hope vaccination will help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Please check the schedule for your eligibility group before visiting."

For inquiries regarding influenza vaccination, please contact the Preventive Medicine Team at Pyeongchang County Public Health Center.

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