Starting on the 11th of this month, vaccination against COVID-19 will begin for high-risk children and infants.
It will be held until April 30th next year, and vaccinations can be given to those with weakened immune systems or those hospitalized or residents of facilities vulnerable to infection.
Quick Look
- Starting on the 11th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency will begin national vaccination against COVID-19 for high-risk children and infants (6 months to 11 years old).
- It will run until April 30th next year, and people with weakened immune systems or those hospitalized or residents of facilities vulnerable to infection can be vaccinated.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Considering that there is no licensed or approved COVID-19 vaccine in Korea for people under 12 years of age, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency will begin vaccination using an emergency vaccine introduced to protect children and infants in high-risk groups.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced on the 5th that it will begin national vaccination against COVID-19 for high-risk children and infants (6 months to 11 years old) from the 11th.
This vaccine was urgently introduced to protect children and infants in high-risk groups, considering that there is no licensed or approved vaccine in Korea for people under 12 years of age. It can be administered to those with weakened immunity or those hospitalized or residents of facilities vulnerable to infection.
National vaccination against COVID-19 for children and infants in high-risk groups will continue until April 30 next year, and medical institutions that can provide vaccinations can be found on the Vaccination Assistant website (nip.kdca.go.kr).
Children and infants in high-risk groups who have not yet completed basic vaccinations must receive all basic vaccinations (1 to 2 times), and children and infants in high-risk groups who have completed basic vaccinations must receive vaccinations once a year (twice in the case of immunocompromised patients).
When visiting a vaccination facility, you must bring supporting documents such as a medical certificate or opinion to confirm whether you are eligible for vaccination.
Also, after vaccination, you must stay at the institution where you were vaccinated for 20 to 30 minutes to observe any adverse reactions, then return home and rest sufficiently.
Lim Seung-gwan, director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said, “We hope that guardians will actively participate in vaccination so that children and infants at high risk of severe illness can spend the winter safely.”
Meanwhile, as of 6 p.m. the previous day, about 3.91 million people (34.2%) participated in the COVID-19 vaccination for those aged 65 or older in the 2026-2027 season.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency urged people over 65 years of age or those with weakened immune systems to be vaccinated as they are at high risk for COVID-19.
Open Questions
- What are the specific product names and manufacturers of the urgently introduced vaccines?
- How are the specific standards and scope of high-risk group children and infants defined?
- It was not specified whether the vaccination cost was free or paid.
