“Another shot?” COVID-19 vaccination shifts to essential vaccination ... rollout begins for older adults and high-risk groups

[Financial News] COVID-19 vaccinations have begun for high-risk groups, including adults aged 65 and older. In particular, starting this year, COVID-19 vaccination has shifted from temporary to essential vaccination.
Moderna Korea said on the 12th that, in line with the government’s 2026–27 seasonal COVID-19 vaccination schedule, vaccination with its updated COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax Prefilled Syringe, had begun in phases for high-risk groups, including adults aged 65 and older.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency recommends that adults aged 65 and older, who are eligible for both flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, receive both vaccines at the same time during a single visit to a medical institution.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s assessment of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness for the 2024–25 season, vaccination was found to be 44.8% effective at preventing hospitalization and 42.6% effective at preventing progression to severe illness.
Evidence has accumulated for the immune response, effectiveness and safety of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine Spikevax across various age groups, including older adults. A clinical trial assessing coadministration in adults aged 65 and older also found that Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine elicited a strong immune response and had an acceptable safety profile.
Seo Jeong-hwan, director of Seoul Bon Internal Medicine Clinic, said, “It is important for older adults, who are at relatively high risk of developing severe illness if infected with COVID-19, to get vaccinated at the appropriate time. It is also important for adults aged 75 and older, who were the first to begin receiving flu vaccinations on the 6th, to get a separate COVID-19 vaccination even if they have already received a flu shot.”
[email protected] An Ga-eul Reporter