Hello, this is 속초어때 (Sokcho Eottae). As of 11 a.m. today, Sokcho (속초) is sunny at 23°C. The sea temperature is 23.1°C, about the same as the air temperature, so judging by the weather alone it is still early autumn. This morning, however, Sokcho City and Yangyang (양양) County both began flu vaccinations at the same time. It may look like the same vaccination campaign as every year, but this year the situation is different. An influenza epidemic advisory was already issued ten days ago, and the Chuseok holiday begins in three days.
Today we have summarized who can get vaccinated for free and from when, which children need two doses, what the free screening at the public health center that runs only for three days starting today is, and what to take care of before the holiday.
This year's flu arrived more than a month early
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) issued an influenza epidemic advisory for the 2026–2027 season at 00:00 on September 11. This advisory usually comes out at the start of winter, but this year it came more than a month earlier than usual.
- Proportion of influenza-like illness in week 36: 25.3 per 1,000 outpatients (about twice this season's epidemic threshold of 12.9)
- Compared with the same period last year, influenza-like illness cases are about 3.8 times higher and hospitalizations are about 13 times higher
- Age groups with the largest increase in patients: 7–12 years and 1–6 years
- Virus currently circulating: influenza A (H1N1)pdm09. It is similar to this season's vaccine strain, and no antiviral-resistant mutations have been identified
As the numbers show, this outbreak is spreading mainly among elementary school students and preschool children. This is also why this year's vaccinations start with children. Many children visit their grandparents over Chuseok, so a child's flu shot also helps protect their grandparents.
Free vaccination start dates differ by group
Those eligible for free vaccination are children aged 6 months to 14 years, all pregnant women, and seniors aged 65 and older. Starting this year, eligibility for children has been expanded to those born in 2012 or later. Children currently in their second year of middle school can also get vaccinated for free this time.
- Children (6 months to 14 years) and pregnant women: from today (September 21)
- Age 75 and older (born on or before December 31, 1951): from October 6
- Ages 70–74 (born 1952–1956): from October 12
- Ages 65–69 (born 1957–1961): from October 15
- The vaccination period for all groups runs until April 30, 2027
The most confusing part is the schedule for seniors. Because news headlines say "flu vaccinations start today," every year some parents go to the clinic that day only to be turned away. Those aged 65 and older are not yet eligible for the free shot. Even the earliest group, those 75 and older, can start only on October 6, about ten days after the Chuseok holiday ends. Letting your parents know once can save them a wasted trip.
Yangyang County is a little different. Those aged 65 and older can get vaccinated at contracted medical institutions in the county from October 6, but vaccinations at the Yangyang County Public Health Center start on October 19. If seniors living in Yangyang plan to go to the public health center, it is a good idea to note that date separately.
Children getting their first flu shot need two doses, 4 weeks apart
An easily overlooked part of children's vaccination is the number of doses. Children from 6 months to under 9 years of age who are receiving a flu vaccine for the first time need two doses, 4 weeks apart. Children needing one dose and those needing two can both be vaccinated starting today.
For children who need two doses, the sooner the better. If they get the first dose today, the second dose will be mid-October at the earliest. It usually takes about two weeks after vaccination for immunity to develop, so given the outbreak now in full swing, starting even one day earlier is better. If you cannot remember whether your child was vaccinated last year, you can check their vaccination history by name on the KDCA's 예방접종도우미 (Yebangjeopjong Doumi, Vaccination Helper) website or app.
Pregnant women can get vaccinated for free regardless of how far along they are. The contracted medical institution will confirm the pregnancy, so bringing your maternal health handbook or pregnancy confirmation certificate will speed up registration.
Before heading to the clinic, one phone call can save you a wasted trip
Free vaccinations are given at contracted medical institutions designated by Sokcho City and Yangyang County. Not every neighborhood pediatric or internal medicine clinic is a contracted institution, and on the first day some clinics have not yet received their vaccines.
- First search for contracted institutions in Sokcho City and Yangyang County using "Find Designated Medical Institutions" on the Vaccination Helper website or app
- Before you leave, call the clinic to ask whether children's vaccines have arrived
- If your child has a fever, vaccination may be postponed. Take their temperature at home before you go
- After the shot, it is best to wait at the clinic for about 20–30 minutes to check for any adverse reactions before leaving
- Avoid strenuous exercise or bathing on the day of vaccination; swelling in the arm or a slight fever usually goes away within a day or two
On sunny days like today, morning clinic hours get crowded. Waits can also be long from 3 to 5 p.m., after children get out of school, so if possible, aim for right after lunch.
Three days only from today: free screening in the Sokcho Public Health Center parking lot
Along with flu vaccinations, the Sokcho Public Health Center (속초시보건소) is offering free screening for three days, from today through September 23. Together with the Gangwon branch of the Korea Population, Health and Welfare Association, it has parked a mobile screening bus in the health center's parking lot to test for arteriosclerosis and osteoporosis.
- When: September 21–23, daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Where: Mobile screening bus in the Sokcho Public Health Center parking lot
- Eligibility: Residents aged 40 and older who are basic livelihood security recipients or in the near-poverty group, and residents at risk of chronic disease, such as those with high blood pressure or diabetes, or who drink or smoke
- Capacity: First 100 people per day, 300 people in total over three days
Because it is first come, first served, the day's slots may be filled if you arrive late. The morning has already passed today, so if you plan to take your parents, going tomorrow (the 22nd) around 9 a.m. is the safer bet. The last day is the day before the holiday, so it is likely to be crowded. Arteriosclerosis and osteoporosis have almost no symptoms, so they are easy to miss without testing. If you take medication for high blood pressure or diabetes, it is well worth getting checked.
COVID-19 vaccinations start October 12, and you can get them on the same day as your flu shot
Yangyang County will also begin COVID-19 vaccinations on October 12. Those eligible are seniors aged 65 and older, immunocompromised people, and patients and residents of facilities vulnerable to infection, who receive the new XFG vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) once a year.
The flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine can be given together on the same day. For seniors aged 70–74, both vaccinations start on October 12, so they only need to visit the clinic once. Those 75 and older can get the flu shot first on October 6 and the COVID-19 shot separately, or schedule both together on or after the 12th.
There are three weekdays before the Chuseok holiday, including today
The Chuseok holiday runs from September 24 to 27. Many neighborhood clinics close during the holiday, so if you want to finish your child's flu vaccination before the holiday, you need to go within the three days from today through the 23rd.
If your child develops a fever during the holiday, here is what to do.
- During the epidemic advisory period, when high-risk groups such as children, pregnant women, people aged 65 and older, and people with chronic diseases are prescribed antivirals at a doctor's discretion, national health insurance applies even without a test
- You can find clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies open during the holiday through the Emergency Medical Portal (E-GEN) or the 129 Health and Welfare Call Center
- If a high fever develops at night, go to 속초의료원 (Sokcho Uiryowon, Sokcho Medical Center) or 보광병원 (Bogwang Byeongwon, Bogwang Hospital), both of which have 24-hour emergency rooms
Travelers visiting the area should take note too. Sokcho is sunny today, but the low is 17°C, so the temperature difference between morning/evening and daytime is quite large. The Daepo Port (대포항) observatory is currently "very crowded" and the Sinheungsa Temple (신흥사) area is "crowded," so in busy places wash your children's hands often, and family members with a cough should bring a mask. With 속초어때's real-time crowd levels, you can also change your route toward the relatively quieter Cheongchoho Lake (청초호) or Oeongchi Port (외옹치항).
Summary at a glance
- Children (born in 2012 or later) and pregnant women: free at contracted medical institutions from today
- First-time recipients under age 9: 2 doses, 4 weeks apart
- Age 75 and older: October 6; ages 70–74: October 12; ages 65–69: October 15
- Senior vaccinations at the Yangyang County Public Health Center: from October 19
- COVID-19 (Yangyang): from October 12, can be given on the same day as the flu shot
- Free arteriosclerosis and osteoporosis screening at the Sokcho Public Health Center: September 21–23, first 100 people per day
Today we looked at the free flu vaccination schedule in Sokcho and Yangyang and what to take care of before the holiday. We hope you found it helpful. Families with children should finish the first dose within these three days, and be sure to let your parents know their dates. We'll be back next time with even more useful information.
