Announcement of the 2026-2027 COVID-19 National Immunization Plan

‌Press Release - [Sept 18, Fri. Morning Edition] Announcement of the 2026-2027 COVID-19 National Immunization Plan
Announcement of the 2026-2027 COVID-19 National Immunization Plan

• Transitioning to mandatory immunization for the stable operation of COVID-19 vaccinations
• Sequential vaccination by target group and age group will begin starting October 12, beginning with those aged 70 and older and the immunocompromised.
  The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, Commissioner Lim Seung-kwan) has announced the 2026-2027 COVID-19 National Immunization Plan, transitioning COVID-19 vaccinations, which had been operated as temporary vaccinations, into mandatory vaccinations.
  This transition was decided after a comprehensive review of COVID-19 occurrence trends, World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, and the policy directions of major countries such as the US, Japan, UK, and Australia, following an expert advisory meeting (May 22) and deliberation by the Vaccination Expert Committee (June 17).
  The 2026-2027 COVID-19 National Immunization Program will start sequentially from Monday, October 12, and continue until June 30, 2027. It is recommended to check the availability of vaccinations at medical institutions through the Immunization Helper website before visiting a clinic.
  [ Transition to Mandatory Immunization ]
  COVID-19 has the characteristic of evading existing immunity as new variants emerge and circulate every year. Furthermore, since approximately 63% of all COVID-19 hospitalizations are among those aged 65 and older, it is an infectious disease that requires management through regular vaccination, similar to influenza, as high-risk groups such as the elderly still face a high risk of hospitalization, severe illness, and death.
  The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends regular COVID-19 vaccination for the elderly and high-risk groups, and major overseas countries are also recommending and supporting COVID-19 vaccination at a national level.
  Accordingly, South Korea also intends to manage the disease by transitioning from the temporary vaccination method, which is typically implemented during infectious disease outbreaks such as pandemics, to a stable and sustainable mandatory vaccination method to protect high-risk groups.
  [ Detailed Vaccination Plan ]
  The 2026-2027 COVID-19 National Immunization is implemented with the goal of preventing severe illness and death in high-risk groups who bear a relatively high disease burden, and the detailed plan is as follows.
  The 2026-2027 COVID-19 National Immunization will target high-risk groups including those aged 65 and older, the immunocompromised, and residents/inpatients of infection-vulnerable facilities*, and will be completed with a single annual dose of the new XFG vaccine (Moderna, Pfizer) (two doses for the immunocompromised).

• Nursing hospitals, nursing facilities, mental health promotion facilities, homeless shelters, and facilities for the disabled.
  In particular, for hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients, re-vaccination is necessary because most of the immunity previously acquired is lost after the transplant. Support will be provided for the primary vaccination (3 doses: 1st and 2nd doses at 4–8 week intervals, 2nd and 3rd doses at 8–12 week intervals) and booster shots (2 doses per year at 6-month intervals) from 3 to 6 months after the transplant date, up to a maximum of 3 years.
  However, since the rate of immune recovery and the period following a transplant can vary for each hematopoietic stem cell transplant patient, they should consult with medical staff before vaccination for safety.
  For the 65 and older group, sequential vaccination by age group will begin on Monday, October 12, starting with those aged 70 and older, and influenza vaccines can be administered simultaneously on the same schedule. Additionally, for immunocompromised individuals aged 12 and older and residents/inpatients of infection-vulnerable facilities, vaccination will begin on Monday, October 12.
  
  A total of 4.8 million doses of the XFG vaccine will be used for this vaccination period, and it will be completed with a single dose (two doses for the immunocompromised), the same as the previous period. However, for high-risk groups such as immunocompromised individuals under the age of 12, one or two primary doses may be required depending on their previous vaccination history, so they should consult with medical staff before vaccination.
  Furthermore, since seniors aged 65 and older are eligible for both influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations, it is recommended that they conveniently receive both vaccinations in a single visit to a vaccination center to stay safe this winter.
  The 2026-2027 vaccinations can be received at nearby commissioned medical institutions or public health centers regardless of your place of residence. You can check the availability of vaccinations at medical institutions through the Immunization Helper website*, so it is advisable to check in advance before visiting a medical institution.
• Immunization Helper website (nip.kdca.go.kr) > Immunization Management > Find Commissioned Medical Institutions
  When visiting a vaccination center, you must bring an ID or documents (Resident Registration Certificate, National Health Insurance Card, etc.) to verify the vaccination target.* Additionally, after vaccination, it is necessary to stay at the institution for 20–30 minutes to observe for adverse reactions before going home and getting sufficient rest.
• For the immunocompromised and others, please present supporting documents (medical certificate, doctor's opinion, facility admission certificate, etc.). However, if a physician determines the person is immunocompromised, vaccination is possible without supporting documents.
  Lim Seung-kwan, Commissioner of the KDCA, stated, "The COVID-19 virus has the characteristic of evading existing immunity as new variants emerge and circulate every year, so it is important for high-risk groups to be vaccinated every year," and added, "In particular, I urge seniors aged 65 and older to conveniently receive both the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines in a single visit."