Vaccination (getting a vaccine) is a way to build immunity against a specific disease without actually catching it. If you live in Korea as an adult, you can protect your own health and the health of those around you through vaccination, regardless of your nationality or residence status. This guide answers basic questions about adult vaccination and explains how to get vaccinated in Korea.
What is vaccination?
When your body catches a disease and recovers, it remembers the pathogen that caused it, and the next time that same pathogen enters your body, your immune system can fight it off quickly. This is called immunity.
Vaccination means putting a ready-made substance called a vaccine into your body by injection. Even without actually getting sick, your body develops immunity just as if it had already gone through the illness.
Do adults need vaccinations too?
Childhood vaccinations gradually lose their effect over time. As an adult, it is important to keep up with appropriate vaccinations to prevent infectious diseases, protect your health, and reduce medical costs.
Vaccinations that are especially important by age and situation
| Who | Recommended vaccine |
|---|---|
| All adults | Influenza (flu) — once a year |
| Adults aged 65 and older | Pneumococcal vaccine (recommended even without underlying conditions) |
| Women who may become pregnant | Check the required vaccinations before and during pregnancy separately |
| All adults (unvaccinated) | Hepatitis B, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap), and others |
The specific vaccines recommended for you and which type to use may vary depending on a doctor’s assessment. Costs also vary depending on the vaccine and the facility where you get it. Before getting vaccinated, please check the latest information at your nearest public health center (보건소) or at Vaccination Help (nip.kdca.go.kr). If you need help in a language other than Korean, call 1345 (Immigration Contact Center).
National Immunization Program vaccines you can receive for free
The vaccines in the table below are available free of charge at public health centers and designated medical institutions if you qualify. The schedule changes slightly each year, so check nip.kdca.go.kr before going.
| Vaccine | Who qualifies for free vaccination | When |
|---|---|---|
| Influenza (flu) | Older adults (age 65+), pregnant women, children (6 months to 13 years) | Each year, approximately September through April (seasonal) |
| Pneumococcal (23-valent) | Adults aged 65+ who have not been vaccinated before (once in a lifetime) | Year-round |
| COVID-19 | High-risk groups: adults aged 65+, immunocompromised individuals, residents of facilities vulnerable to infection, and others | Seasonal vaccination (once a year) |
Adults who do not fall under the free categories above (for example, healthy adults under 65 for COVID-19, or shingles vaccination) pay out of pocket. As of 2026, shingles and RSV vaccines are not covered under the national free vaccination program, though some local governments offer their own subsidies for shingles vaccination for older adults. Check with your local public health center.
Things to know before getting vaccinated
Which vaccines are available at a public health center
Public health centers generally offer only influenza (flu) and Hepatitis B vaccines. For other vaccines, contact a regular clinic or hospital directly to ask whether they carry the vaccine you need.
Bring your Alien Registration Card
If you are a foreign national and want to get vaccinated at a public health center, you must bring your Alien Registration Card (외국인 등록증).
After getting vaccinated
- On the day of vaccination and the following day, it is a good idea to avoid strenuous exercise and alcohol.
- Stay at the medical facility for 20 to 30 minutes after vaccination and watch for any adverse reactions such as hives, difficulty breathing, or shock. Most serious reactions appear within this window.
- Monitor how you feel for about 3 days after vaccination. If you experience severe reactions such as a high fever or convulsions, see a doctor.
- The injection site may turn red, swell, or feel sore. This is a normal part of your immune system responding to the vaccine and usually goes away on its own.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is vaccination safe?
All vaccines used in Korea have passed national verification. In rare cases, people with particular sensitivities or allergies to vaccine components may have serious adverse reactions. Staying at the medical facility for about 30 minutes after vaccination means you can receive prompt treatment if that happens.
Q. Can I receive multiple vaccines on the same day?
Some vaccines, such as chickenpox or measles, require a gap between doses, but most vaccines can safely be given together on the same day. It is best to use different injection sites for each one.
Q. I missed the date for my second dose. Do I need to start over?
No. You only need to receive the second dose. However, you must not receive the second dose earlier than the scheduled interval after the first dose.
Q. Can I get the second dose at a different clinic or hospital from the first?
Yes. Getting the first and second doses at different facilities does not meaningfully affect antibody formation.
Q. I do not remember whether I was vaccinated in the past.
If you are not sure, it is better to get vaccinated again. Receiving a vaccine when you already have immunity does not cause health problems.
Q. I am feeling unwell right now. Can I still get vaccinated?
If you have a mild cold without a fever, vaccination is generally fine. If you have a fever or feel significantly ill, talk to a doctor before deciding. If you are receiving treatment for an acute illness, it is better to wait until you have recovered sufficiently before getting vaccinated.
Q. I had a severe adverse reaction to a vaccine in the past.
If you have previously experienced a serious adverse reaction to a specific vaccine, you should not receive that vaccine again. Always tell your doctor about this before getting any vaccination.
Finding a vaccination facility
- Vaccination Help — Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) official site: nip.kdca.go.kr — search for nearby designated medical facilities.
- Phone support: 1345 (Immigration Contact Center — multilingual support available, for migrants and refugees)
- KDCA Call Center: 1339
Reference links
- KDCA Vaccination Help — vaccination schedules and designated facility search
This document was prepared based on medical information provided by Samsung Seoul Hospital (SMC) and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Specific figures and timelines may change, so please verify the latest information through 1345 or your local Korea Immigration Service (KIS) office before getting vaccinated.