Free flu shots in Korea start on different days by age

Right now

1. 1Find your start date from your date of birth. Children who need two doses and pregnant women start on September 21, children who need one dose on September 28, age 75 and over on October 12, ages 70 to 74 on October 15, and ages 65 to 69 on October 19.
2. 2Look up a designated clinic near you. Use the designated clinic search under the vaccination management menu on the KDCA Vaccination Helper site (nip.kdca.go.kr), or ask your local public health center. There are about 23,000 across the country.
3. 3If you are in a high-risk group and have a fever of 38 degrees or higher with a cough or sore throat, see a doctor now rather than waiting for your vaccination date. Because the influenza advisory is in effect, national health insurance covers antiviral prescriptions based on suspected symptoms alone.

What to have ready

• Residence card (alien registration card): In an English notice in January 2025, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said foreign nationals with a Foreign Registration Number are also eligible for the free program, and asked people to show ID and the required supporting documents.
• Your child's past vaccination record: For children under 9, the number of past flu shots decides whether they get one dose or two. If your child was vaccinated in another country, bring that record.
• A document that confirms pregnancy: Ask the clinic first which documents it accepts.
• Name and phone number of a designated clinic: If you are not in a covered group, confirm the clinic offers paid flu shots before you go.

Phrases you can copy and paste

Step by step

1. 1

   Three groups get the shot for free

   This season, the government pays for three groups. The first is children from 6 months to 14 years old, meaning those born between January 1, 2012 and August 31, 2026. Until last season the cutoff was 13; from this season it covers age 14, the age of a second-year middle school student. The second group is pregnant women, and the third is people aged 65 and over born on or before December 31, 1961. If the age count is confusing, go by date of birth.

2. 2

   Each group has its own first day

   Cost:

   Free for eligible groups

   The support period ends on April 30, 2027 for everyone, but the start dates differ. Children who need two doses and pregnant women go first on Monday, September 21, followed by children who need one dose on Monday, September 28. Older adults start in order: age 75 and over (born on or before December 31, 1951) on Monday, October 12, ages 70 to 74 (born January 1, 1952 to December 31, 1956) on Thursday, October 15, and ages 65 to 69 (born January 1, 1957 to December 31, 1961) on Monday, October 19. The KDCA says children who need two doses start first so they can finish before the flu season peaks, and that the older age bands were split to prevent safety incidents from early crowds.

3. 3

   For children under 9, count past shots first

   Children who need two doses are those aged 6 months to under 9 who have never had a flu vaccine or have had only one dose before. Children aged 6 months to 14 who do not meet that condition get one dose. So two children of the same age can start on different days, September 21 or September 28, depending on their history. If your child had a flu shot in another country before coming to Korea, bring that record and show it.

4. 4

   Get the shot near you, not only where you live

   Where:

   Designated clinic or public health center

   You can get a national program shot at any nearby designated clinic or public health center, whatever your registered address. There are about 23,000 designated clinics nationwide. There are two ways to find one: ask your local public health center, or use the designated clinic search under the vaccination management menu on the Vaccination Helper site (nip.kdca.go.kr). This season's vaccine is a trivalent vaccine that includes all the virus strains recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

5. 5

   For foreigners, the registration number is the first check

   In an English press release in January 2025, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said foreign nationals with a Foreign Registration Number are also eligible for the free influenza vaccination program. It told people to show their ID and the required supporting documents when they go. That notice came out last season, though. The KDCA's press release and FAQ for this season do not state a separate rule for foreigners. If you have not received your residence card yet, or you only have a passport, call your local public health center before you go to a clinic.

6. 6

   If you are not covered, you pay for the shot

   If you are not in one of the three groups, you get the flu shot at a nearby clinic that offers it and pay for it yourself. The KDCA advises checking that the clinic can vaccinate you before you visit. Some local governments offer extra support for flu shot costs on their own. Only your local public health center can tell you whether such a program exists where you live and whether you qualify. Prices are set by each clinic, so this guide does not list them.

7. 7

   People 65 and over follow the same schedule for COVID-19

   From October 12, people aged 65 and over are also scheduled to get COVID-19 vaccination on the same schedule as the flu shot. The KDCA recommends getting both vaccines at the same visit. When you get both on the same day, they are given in different parts of the body. Getting both vaccines protects against each disease separately.

8. 8

   The influenza advisory was issued on September 11

   The KDCA issued the 2026-2027 influenza advisory at midnight on Friday, September 11, 2026. The advisory is issued after an expert consultation when the share of patients with influenza-like illness, meaning a fever of 38 degrees or higher with a cough or sore throat, rises above the epidemic threshold. Once the advisory is in effect, national health insurance covers antiviral prescriptions for high-risk groups based on suspected influenza symptoms alone. High-risk groups include children, pregnant women, people aged 65 and over, people with weakened immune systems, and people with metabolic disorders, heart disease, lung disease, liver disease, blood disorders, or neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, among others. The medicines covered are oral oseltamivir (such as Tamiflu capsules) and inhaled zanamivir (Relenza Rotadisk).

9. 9

   Antibodies take about two weeks after the shot

   According to the KDCA, protective antibodies form about two weeks after vaccination. How well the vaccine works depends on how closely it matches the circulating virus and on each person's immunity, so it does not prevent infection 100 percent. Even so, the vaccine lowers the risk of severe illness and death as well as preventing infection. The most common side effects are redness and pain at the injection site, which mostly go away within one to two days. Keep covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when you cough, and wash your hands with soap under running water for at least 30 seconds.

The Korean words

독감dokgam, flu

The everyday word. KDCA documents and clinic notices write 인플루엔자 (influenza).

국가예방접종gukga yebangjeopjong, National Immunization Program shot

Covered groups get it free at designated clinics and public health centers.

지정의료기관jijeong uiryogigwan, designated clinic

About 23,000 nationwide. Press releases also call them 위탁의료기관.

보건소bogeonso, public health center

Gives free shots and answers questions about local support programs and whether foreigners are covered.

예방접종도우미yebangjeopjong doumi, KDCA Vaccination Helper site

nip.kdca.go.kr. The designated clinic search is here.

유행주의보yuhaeng juuibo, influenza advisory

Issued at midnight on September 11 for the 2026-2027 season.

고위험군gowiheomgun, high-risk group

Children, pregnant women, people 65 and over, people with weakened immunity or chronic conditions, among others.

항바이러스제hang-baireoseuje, antiviral medicine

Once the advisory is issued, insurance covers prescriptions for high-risk groups based on suspected symptoms alone.

동시 접종dongsi jeopjong, getting two vaccines at the same visit

Each is given in a different part of the body.

이상반응isang baneung, side effect after vaccination

The most common are redness and pain at the injection site.

Easy to miss

• ·Thinking you can only get the shot at the health center for your registered address. You can go to any nearby designated clinic or public health center.
• ·Going for your shot on September 21 when you are 65 or older. The first day for older adults is October 12 for age 75 and over, and later for younger age bands.
• ·Assuming one shot is enough for a child under 9. A child who has never had a flu shot, or has had only one, needs two doses.
• ·Heading to a clinic without checking when you are not in a covered group. The KDCA advises confirming that paid shots are available before you go.
• ·Brushing off a fever because you already had the shot. Antibodies take about two weeks, and for high-risk groups, insurance covers antiviral prescriptions based on suspected symptoms alone.
• ·Believing you cannot get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines on the same day. You can get both at once, and it is recommended for people aged 65 and over.

You can skip this if

• If you were born between January 1, 1962 and December 31, 2011 and are not pregnant, you are not covered by the free national program. Step six applies to you.
• Babies born on or after September 1, 2026 fall outside this season's birth range for children.
• The schedule and groups in this guide are for the 2026-2027 season and were checked on September 14, 2026. The age range for children changed again this season, so check the announcement again next season.

Where this comes from

• Winter influenza national vaccination expanded to age 14, rolling out from September 21, August 25, 2026, KDCA press release with FAQ attachment
• 2026-2027 influenza advisory notice, September 11, 2026, KDCA
• Seoul Extends Voluntary #MaskUp Campaign Until Feb. 10 to Fend Off the Flu, January 2025, Seoul Metropolitan Government