In response to the spread of the Covid-19 variants, the government will start vaccinating citizens free of charge with the new vaccine targeting the prevalent XBB variant, specifically XBB.1.5, from Oct. 19, 2023 to March 31, 2024.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said that it will initially use Pfizer's vaccine, which received emergency use approval (EUA) on Sep. 14.

The KDCA said Moderna's vaccine will also be introduced as soon as possible as the vaccine received approval on Tuesday.

Moderna said it plans to supply its vaccine in time so that the government can start using its vaccine when it begins its vaccination program.

The agency will also introduce Novavax's new genetically recombinant vaccine for those who cannot receive mRNA vaccines by the end of the year.

While vaccination is free-of-charge for all citizens, the KDCA particularly recommends elderly citizens above 65, immunocompromised individuals aged between 12-64, and members of infection-prone facilities, such as nursing hospitals, to receive the vaccine.

"Individuals are eligible for the new vaccine three months (90 days) after their last Covid-19 vaccine dose," the KDCA said. "Even those who haven't received the primary vaccination (first and second dose) can still receive the new shot without having to receive the prior vaccination."

The KDCA said high-risk groups can pre-register from Tuesday, while general citizens can start reservations from Nov. 1, and recommend citizens receive both the Covid-19 and influenza vaccines simultaneously.

"We will designate more than 15,000 vaccination centers nationwide and make them available at public health centers, and we will increase supply to allow same-day vaccination without prior appointments," KDCA Commissioner Jee Young-mee said. "We will work with the medical community to better explain the need for and efficacy of annual vaccination to the public."