As Covid-19 cases surge across neighboring countries, including China and Thailand, Korean health authorities urge high-risk populations, particularly older adults 65 and older, to complete their vaccinations before a potential summer wave.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said Monday that it will extend the ongoing 2024–2025 Covid-19 vaccination campaign for high-risk groups until the end of this month.

The move comes amid growing concern that increased regional transmission could spill over into Korea despite the country’s relatively stable situation.

Eligible groups include people born before Dec. 31, 1959, those with weakened immune systems aged six months and older, and residents or patients in high-risk congregate settings, including long-term care facilities.

“While the current Covid-19 situation in Korea remains manageable, we cannot ignore the uptick in cases reported in nearby countries,” KDCA Commissioner Jee Young-mee said. “There is a real possibility of increased transmission this summer, and we strongly encourage those in high-risk categories who have not yet been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible.”

The KDCA emphasized that those planning to travel to regions with rising case counts, including China, Thailand, and Singapore, should get vaccinated before departure. The agency warned that immunity takes about four weeks to develop after vaccination, underscoring the urgency of timely inoculation.

Citing recent Korean and international data, the KDCA reaffirmed that the currently available JN.1-based vaccine offers effective neutralizing antibody responses against circulating variants in Korea, including LP.8.1, XEC, and NB.1.8.1.

The agency's appeal is part of broader efforts to shield vulnerable groups from severe illness and death, particularly as global Covid-19 activity remains fluid and unpredictable.

“High-risk individuals, especially the elderly and immunocompromised, must act now,” Jee said. “Vaccination is the most reliable safeguard against serious outcomes, and we urge everyone eligible to receive their shots without delay.”