COVID vaccinations will be administered once a year like flu shots now the virus has become endemic and is likely to return seasonally, the government said Wednesday.Free jabs will be offered to everyone in October and November in an effort to prevent high-risk groups from getting seriously ill or dying.People who are undergoing cancer treatment or taking immunosuppressants can get vaccine shots twice a year, in the second and fourth quarters.The government strongly recommends COVID vaccinations for high-risk groups such as the over-65s, immunocompromised people and patients with chronic diseases.
The current nationwide vaccination drive ends on April 8, but people who need vaccinations before going abroad can get their jabs in hospitals or clinics.Emergency vaccinations can be administered if COVID surges unexpectedly or a new variant occurs.A survey last December showed that some 70 percent of Koreans now have immunity to COVID, and immunity achieved through repeated vaccinations and infection lasts for more than 10 months.
