COVID-19 vaccinations shifted from temporary immunization to the routine national immunization program in South Korea this year, but the doses secured fall short of the number actually administered last season.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said on the 12th that the 2026-2027 season of state-funded COVID-19 vaccinations began the previous day, starting with people aged 70 and over and residents of facilities vulnerable to infection. Those born before Dec. 31, 1956, and immunocompromised people aged 12 and over also became eligible that day.
From the 15th, eligibility expands to those aged 65 and over. Recipients can get the shot at any nearby public health center or designated medical institution with an identification card, regardless of their registered address, and may receive it at the same time as a flu shot. The government recommends that older adults aged 65 and over receive both the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines in a single visit.
Concerns have emerged, however, that the doses secured this year are not enough to meet demand. The agency obtained 4.84 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for this season, about 10% fewer than the 5.3 million doses in the previous season.
Based simply on the roughly 11.74 million people aged 65 and over, the supply covers 41.2% of that group — below the 42.8% vaccination rate actually recorded last season. The supply looks even tighter against real demand, given that the state immunization program also covers immunocompromised people aged six months and older as well as patients and residents of facilities vulnerable to infection, in addition to those aged 65 and over.
Regional variation is another factor. Last season, the vaccination rate among those aged 65 and over was highest in Gwangju at 51.3%, followed by Jeonbuk State at 49.4% and North Chungcheong Province at 46.2%. Daegu was lowest at 36.5%, leaving a gap of 14.8 percentage points between regions. If areas where rates topped 50% last year draw similar demand this year, initial allocations could run short.
Severe illness 21 times more likely for those 65 and over, experts warn against missing shots
Hospitalization data also points to the need for vaccination. According to the agency's infectious disease sentinel surveillance, COVID-19 inpatients at hospital-level medical institutions rose to 327 in the 38th week from 115 in the 35th week. As of the 36th week, people aged 65 and over accounted for 65.3% of COVID-19 inpatients, or two of every three. Those aged 65 and over face a rate of severe illness about 21 times higher and a fatality rate about 40 times higher than people aged 64 and under.
In an assessment of last season, the COVID-19 vaccine was found to be 44.8% effective at preventing hospitalization and 42.6% effective at preventing the need for oxygen treatment.
Experts stressed the need for active outreach so that high-risk groups do not miss their window for vaccination. They added that it is also important to secure sufficient access so that high-risk people who want the shot are not denied the chance because of regional or seasonal shortages. The agency said it will purchase additional doses to supply if supplies fall short of demand.