COVID-19 National Vaccination 2026-2027: Dates, Eligibility =========================================================== COVID-19 vaccination for the 2026-2027 season has shifted to essential vaccination for high-risk groups. Start dates and supporting document requirements vary by group, and exceptions for simultaneous vaccination must be distinguished. The program ends on June 30, 2027. - The shift to essential vaccination is a policy change intended to keep vaccination for high-risk groups available on an ongoing basis. - The general schedule starts on October 12, 2026, for people aged 70 or older and on October 15 for those aged 65-69. - People aged 12 or older who are immunocompromised, and patients or residents of facilities vulnerable to infection, are eligible for vaccination starting October 12. - Long-term care hospitals and facilities must check the separate schedule under the guidance issued on October 2, 2026. - Exemptions from submitting supporting documents and early simultaneous vaccination apply only when the official conditions are met. COVID-19 vaccination under the national vaccination program became a mandatory immunization starting with the 2026-2027 season. Eligible groups include people aged at least 65 and other high-risk groups, such as immunocompromised people. The general schedule begins on October 12, 2026, with start dates varying by group. The end date is June 30, 2027. The ages, number of doses, and schedules in this article are based on materials dated October 2, 2026, from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the program guidance for that season. What changed with the move to mandatory immunization? The main change is that vaccination for high-risk groups will be offered on an ongoing basis. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced the transition plan on September 17, 2026. The program aims to prevent severe illness and death among high-risk groups. Transition to mandatory immunization for the stable operation of COVID-19 vaccination This wording comes from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's “Announcement of the ’26-’27 Season COVID-19 National Vaccination Implementation Plan.” Mandatory immunizations are vaccinations that local governments must provide. National vaccinations are those for which the government covers the cost. The name alone therefore does not determine whether everyone must be vaccinated or who is eligible for free vaccination. The definitions and funding structure follow the 2026 national vaccination guidelines. Category Meaning What applies this season Temporary immunization Provided when deemed necessary to prevent infectious diseases The previous approach to COVID-19 vaccination Mandatory immunization Vaccination provided by local governments under the law Transition to an ongoing system to protect high-risk groups National vaccination support Coverage of vaccination costs for specified groups and vaccines Eligibility criteria remain focused on high-risk groups COVID-19 vaccination eligibility and schedule General start dates vary by age and high-risk status. Older adults are grouped by the birth dates below. For immunocompromised people and other eligible groups, the age threshold of 12 is determined by their date of birth at the time of vaccination. Eligible group How age is determined General start date End date People aged at least 70 Born by December 31, 1956 October 12, 2026 June 30, 2027 People aged 65-69 Born from January 1, 1957, through December 31, 1961 October 15, 2026 June 30, 2027 Immunocompromised people aged at least 12 Date of birth at the time of vaccination October 12, 2026 June 30, 2027 Patients and residents aged at least 12 in facilities vulnerable to infection Date of birth at the time of vaccination October 12, 2026 June 30, 2027 A separate schedule applies to long-term care hospitals and facilities. This distinction is specified in the October 2 press reference materials. Confirm the actual vaccination date for these facilities with the facility or the public health center responsible for it. The start date for high-risk children under 12 cannot be determined from the table above. The September implementation plan said it would be announced separately after the vaccines became available. Check the Immunization Assistance website or a public health center for subsequent schedule information. Supporting documents for immunocompromised people and facility patients and residents As a rule, people being vaccinated on the basis of high-risk status must present supporting documents. Exceptions apply when medical staff make the determination or when vaccination takes place at a facility. An exception to the document requirement does not waive the eligibility criteria. Reason for vaccination Documents generally required When documents are not required Immunocompromised status A medical certificate or written medical opinion from a healthcare institution, or similar documents When medical staff determine that the person is immunocompromised Admission to or residence in a facility vulnerable to infection Confirmation of residence at the facility, or similar documents Vaccination at the facility by its contracted physician or other visiting provider, or vaccination provided by the facility itself Being immunocompromised is different from simply feeling tired or physically weak. Cancer treatment and treatment with immunosuppressants are among the criteria considered. Medical staff determine whether a person's treatment status meets the criteria. The detailed criteria and exceptions to document requirements are available in the Immunization Assistance program guidance. Comparison with the influenza schedule The two vaccines can be given on the same day, but some general start dates differ. In particular, the start dates differ for people aged at least 75. Using only the influenza schedule to plan a COVID-19 vaccination could cause confusion. Age group in 2026 General influenza start date General COVID-19 start date People aged at least 75 October 6, 2026 October 12, 2026 People aged 70-74 October 12, 2026 October 12, 2026 People aged 65-69 October 15, 2026 October 15, 2026 The October 2 guidance includes an exception for early same-day vaccination. The provider must have both vaccines available. The person must be visiting according to the influenza schedule. If the doctor conducting the pre-vaccination assessment approves, they may also receive a COVID-19 vaccine starting October 6. This exception does not change the general start dates for everyone. The general schedule and the conditions for the exception are both specified in the October 2 press reference materials. Number of doses and individual assessment The standard this season is one dose a year, while immunocompromised people receive two. The covered vaccines are the XFG vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. Individual dose intervals and vaccination dates are determined after reviewing previous vaccination history and other factors. Category Vaccination standard in the implementation plan General high-risk groups Once a year Immunocompromised people Twice a year Hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients Separate revaccination criteria apply The general number of doses alone is not enough to determine the schedule for hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Immune recovery after a transplant varies from person to person. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's implementation plan advises them to consult medical staff before vaccination. By situation: eligibility and the actual vaccination date are different Even if someone is eligible for support, they must confirm their actual vaccination date separately. Age and treatment status determine eligibility. Vaccine availability and individual dose intervals determine whether vaccination is possible on a given day. Situation What to check A person aged 65-69 who is immunocompromised Whether the immunocompromised schedule applies and what documentation is required A resident of a long-term care facility The separate schedule set by the facility A person seeking both vaccines together Whether the provider has both vaccines and whether medical staff approve A facility whose name appears in search results Whether vaccination will actually be available on the planned visit date This distinction helps connect eligibility checks with preparations for a visit. Appearing in the facility list does not guarantee vaccination that day. The search page also notes that vaccination availability may change depending on a facility's circumstances. How to find a contracted vaccination provider You can search for a vaccination provider regardless of where you live. The Immunization Assistance website lists healthcare institutions with vaccination contracts. You can search by region and vaccine type. Go to “Vaccination Management” on the Immunization Assistance website. Under “Find a Contracted Healthcare Institution,” select “COVID-19 Vaccination Program.” Select a region and an available vaccine, then search. Confirm vaccination availability and required documents with the provider listed in the results. Search results show the provider's name, phone number, and address. You can also check vaccine information for each provider. The search is available through Find a COVID-19 Contracted Healthcare Institution. Frequently asked questions Does mandatory immunization mean everyone is eligible for free vaccination? Eligibility for free vaccination is determined by the support criteria for that season. The term “mandatory immunization” does not mean everyone is covered. This program focuses on high-risk groups, including people aged at least 65 and immunocompromised people. Must an immunocompromised person aged 65-69 wait until October 15? They are eligible as an immunocompromised person starting October 12, 2026. The criteria differ from the general schedule for older adults. Medical staff must confirm that they meet the immunocompromised criteria and can be vaccinated. If supporting documents can be waived, is a medical assessment unnecessary? Waiving the documents does not mean waiving the medical staff's assessment. An exception applies when medical staff determine that a person is immunocompromised. Facility patients and residents must check the conditions for a visiting provider or vaccination provided by the facility itself. Can I get influenza and COVID-19 vaccines on the same day? Official guidance recommends receiving the two vaccines on the same day. Whether they are given depends on medical staff's assessment of the person's health. You should also check that the provider has both vaccines. Is the support end date my next vaccination date? June 30, 2027, is the end date for this season's program. It is not an individual's next vaccination date. The timing of additional vaccination is determined based on vaccination history, immune status, and other factors. FAQ Q. Does the move to mandatory vaccination mean everyone must get vaccinated? A. Mandatory vaccination is a legal category of vaccinations that local governments must administer. The name alone does not mean everyone is required to get vaccinated. Q. Who is eligible for free vaccination in the 2026-2027 season? A. People aged 65 or older, immunocompromised people, and patients and residents of facilities vulnerable to infection are eligible. Check both the start date for each age group and any separate schedule for the facility. Q. What is the standard start date for people aged 65 to 69? A. For people born from January 1, 1957, through December 31, 1961, vaccination starts on October 15, 2026. If they meet other criteria, such as being immunocompromised, they should check the applicable schedule. Q. When does vaccination for this season end? A. The program ends on June 30, 2027. Q. What documents do immunocompromised people need? A. As a rule, they must present supporting documents, such as a medical certificate or a doctor's opinion letter. They can be vaccinated without documents if a healthcare provider determines that they are immunocompromised. Q. Do vaccinations at long-term care hospitals and facilities also all start on October 12? A. The October 2, 2026, press background document lists long-term care hospitals and facilities as following a separate schedule. Check the actual date with the facility or the local public health center. Q. How many doses are given? A. The 2026-2027 season implementation plan calls for one dose per year, or two doses for immunocompromised people. Separate revaccination criteria apply to hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Q. Do high-risk children under 12 have the same start date? A. The September implementation plan said a separate schedule would be announced after the vaccine is introduced. The schedule for people aged 12 or older should not be applied to them unchanged. Q. Can I get vaccinated at a medical institution outside my area of residence? A. You can get vaccinated at a designated medical institution or public health center regardless of your registered address. Check whether the institution offers vaccination before visiting. Sources - Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Announcement of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Plan for the ’26-’27 Season, September 17, 2026: https://www.kdca.go.kr/kdca/2848/subview.do?enc=Zm5jdDF8QEB8JTJGYmJzJTJGa2RjYSUyRjQyJTJGMzEyNjQ0JTJGYXJ0Y2xWaWV3LmRvJTNGdXRtX3NvdXJjZSUzRGNoYXRncHQuY29tJTI2 - Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, National Vaccination for Adults Aged 65 and Older to Begin in Phases Next Week, October 2, 2026: https://www.kdca.go.kr/bbs/kdca/42/310131/download.do - Immunization Helper, Guide to the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program: https://nip.kdca.go.kr/irhp/covd/goCov19Vcnt.do?menuCd=47&menuLv=4 - Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 2026 National Vaccination Guidelines for Medical Institutions, revised October 2, 2026: https://kdca.go.kr/bbs/kdca/55/310147/download.do - Immunization Helper, Find a Contracted Medical Institution for the COVID-19 Vaccination Program: https://nip.kdca.go.kr/irhp/mngm/goVcntMngm.do?menuCd=337&menuLv=3 Images - A nurse vaccinates an older man in a clinic as he sits with his sleeve rolled up.: https://onbinder.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6Mjg1MTUsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--0556f3454dce745482bff04b6802581b7021d57e/ai-9eb41736.webp - An older woman smiles as a nurse sets down a vaccine carrier in a long-term-care lounge.: https://onbinder.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6Mjg1MjEsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--82cce7315c2ed2371381b80818167b88867580fa/ai-693f96eb.webp --- Category: Policy Guide Source: https://onbinder.com/en/articles/covid19-national-vaccination-2026-2027-eligibility-schedule License: cc_by Translation-Status: reviewed