National Flu Vaccination Begins... Starting with Children Aged 6 Months to 9 Years

Single-dose Children and Pregnant Women Eligible for Vaccination Starting September 29

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced that, starting September 22, national influenza (flu) vaccinations for children aged 6 months to 9 years will begin.

From this day, children aged 6 months to 9 years who are eligible for two doses are those receiving the influenza vaccine for the first time in their lives or those who have previously received only one dose. Other children aged 13 or younger will receive a single dose starting from September 29.

The agency explained that it is extremely important for children, including infants and elementary school students, to be vaccinated in order to prepare for the influenza season this winter and to prevent flu-related complications, as children are particularly vulnerable to influenza outbreaks due to group living environments.

For pregnant women, influenza vaccination is necessary regardless of the stage of pregnancy, as it reduces the risk of influenza complications and provides immunity to the fetus that lasts for several months after birth. Vaccinations for pregnant women will be available from September 29.

Among senior citizens eligible for the national vaccination program, those aged 75 and older can receive the vaccine starting October 15, those aged 70 to 74 from October 20, and those aged 65 to 69 from October 22.

National influenza vaccinations can be administered at nearby designated medical institutions and public health centers, regardless of one's place of residence. Recipients must bring identification documents, such as a resident registration card or National Health Insurance card, when visiting the vaccination site. After vaccination, individuals should remain at the facility for 20 to 30 minutes to monitor for any adverse reactions before returning home. For children, it is important for guardians to carefully observe the child's condition before and after vaccination.

Im Seungkwan, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, stated, "The preventive effect of the influenza vaccine begins to appear two weeks after vaccination," and urged, "We ask guardians and families to ensure that high-risk groups such as children, pregnant women, and seniors aged 65 and older receive their flu shots in a timely manner before the influenza season this winter."

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