This season, the free flu shot in Korea covers children up to age 14. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) also moved some start dates earlier because the flu season began early. Pregnant women and adults aged 65 and over are covered too. Registered foreign residents get the shot on the same terms as Korean nationals.
The shot is free at about 23,000 designated clinics and at public health centers until 30 April 2027. This guide covers who qualifies and the start date for each group. It also covers what changed, what to bring, and what to say at the clinic.
Who gets a free flu shot this season
Dates verified October 2026 · KDCA, 2026-2027 influenza national immunization program
The national program covers three groups. Start dates differ by group and by age, but all of them end on the same day. For children and older adults, the group is set by date of birth, not by age on the day of the shot.
| Group | Who is included | Start date | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children, 6 months to 14 years | Born 1 January 2012 to 31 August 2026 | 21 September 2026 | 30 April 2027 |
| Pregnant women | Any week of pregnancy, with a document that shows it | 21 September 2026 | 30 April 2027 |
| Adults aged 75 and over | Born on or before 31 December 1951 | 6 October 2026 | 30 April 2027 |
| Adults aged 70 to 74 | Born 1952 to 1956 | 12 October 2026 | 30 April 2027 |
| Adults aged 65 to 69 | Born 1957 to 1961 | 15 October 2026 | 30 April 2027 |
Every start date in the table fell on or before 15 October 2026. Anyone in these groups can now get the shot until 30 April 2027.
Everyone else in the program gets one dose. For pregnant women and adults aged 65 and over, that is one dose every season, whatever they had before. KDCA asks parents to talk with the doctor about the schedule and the number of doses. Both doses are free for a child in the two-dose group.
What changed from the first plan
Changes verified October 2026 · KDCA press releases of 25 August and 16 September 2026
KDCA announced the season on 25 August 2026. That plan raised the upper age for children to 14. Then KDCA issued an influenza advisory on 11 September, earlier than in a usual year. On 16 September it moved several start dates forward.
| Group | 25 August plan | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Children who need one dose | 28 September | 21 September |
| Aged 75 and over | 12 October | 6 October |
| Aged 70 to 74 | 15 October | 12 October |
| Aged 65 to 69 | 19 October | 15 October |
If you saved a notice from August, its dates for older adults and some children are later than the current dates. The end date of 30 April 2027 did not change.
How foreign residents qualify
Rules verified October 2026 · Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, Article 24 · KDCA 2026 national immunization guideline
The Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act (감염병의 예방 및 관리에 관한 법률) lists influenza among the required vaccinations. Mayors and heads of counties and districts run them through public health centers. They can give this work to local medical clinics.
The KDCA guideline for clinics has a rule for foreign nationals. A foreign resident gets the shot in the same way as a Korean national, using an Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증) or a temporary management number (임시관리번호).
So for a registered foreign resident, the question is the same as for anyone else. Which group in the first table are you in?
Where to get the shot
KDCA says you can get the free shot at any designated clinic (위탁의료기관) or public health center (보건소), wherever your registered address is. On 2 October 2026, KDCA counted about 23,000 designated clinics across Korea. Health center branches (보건지소) and rural health posts (보건진료소) give it too.
To find a clinic, open the KDCA vaccination helper site (예방접종도우미). The finder works without a login. Go to 위탁의료기관 찾기, then 인플루엔자 예방접종, and pick the tab for children, older adults or pregnant women. Choose your city and district, or open the map of clinics near you.
KDCA asks you to check that the clinic can give the shot before you visit. You can check with your public health center or on the KDCA vaccination helper site.
How to get the shot, step by step
Step 1 — Check your group and start date
Find your row in the first table. If you are not in any of the three groups, you are outside the national free program.
Step 2 — Find a clinic near you
Use the finder on the KDCA vaccination helper site, or go to your local public health center.
Step 3 — Check that the clinic can give the shot
KDCA advises checking through your public health center or the KDCA vaccination helper site. You can also call the clinic. The phrases near the end of this guide include one for that call.
Step 4 — Bring your ID, and proof of pregnancy if it applies
KDCA asks everyone to bring ID. For a foreign resident, that is the ARC. For a child, KDCA names papers such as a health insurance certificate (국민건강보험증). A pregnant woman also shows a document that confirms the pregnancy. The KDCA page names the maternity record book (산모수첩) and the pregnancy confirmation form (임신확인서).
Step 5 — See the doctor, then wait 20 to 30 minutes
You complete a pre-vaccination screening form (예진표) and talk with the doctor before the shot. After the shot, KDCA asks you to stay at the clinic for 20 to 30 minutes to watch for any reaction.
The clinic enters each national shot in the national vaccination record (예방접종통합관리시스템) on the same day. That record is also where a vaccination certificate comes from.
You do not need the certificate to get the flu shot. It matters only when someone asks you for proof later.
What to say at the counter
Show the Korean line on your phone, or read the romanized line aloud. A government news page on this season writes the flu as 인플루엔자(독감). So the phrases below use the shorter word 독감.
Frequently asked questions
Official sources
Every date and rule here comes from the pages below. Rules change each season, so open the page before you act on it.