The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said it will commence the first phase of the national immunization program (NIP) for influenza from Wednesday.

During the first phase, the KDCA plans to target children under 13, including infants.

According to the KDCA, it will vaccinate children aged 13 and below in two separate groups, one group from Wednesday and another group from Oct. 5.

Those eligible for vaccination from Wednesday are children who require two doses of the flu vaccine aged six months to nine years who have never been vaccinated against influenza.

Other children who have received an influenza vaccine in the past can receive their vaccine from Oct. 5.

Both groups can receive the influenza vaccine for free until April 30 of next year.

Expectant mothers are also slated for vaccination starting from Oct. 5. They will be given a single dose, regardless of the pregnancy term.

Seniors aged 65 and above will have their vaccination scheduled based on age brackets. Those aged 75 and above can receive the vaccine starting from Oct. 11, individuals aged between 70 and 74 from Oct. 16, and those between 65 and 69 from Oct. 19.

“The absence of an influenza epidemic during the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a decline in natural immunity to the influenza viruses in the community,” KDCA Commissioner Jee Young-mee said. “We encourage those included in the NIP program to participate actively.”