Moderna Korea emphasized the importance of updated Covid-19 vaccination for older adults and other high-risk groups at a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday, highlighting the role of mRNA technology in preventing respiratory infections and addressing the ongoing threat of long Covid.

At the event, held at Novotel Ambassador in Gangnam, Professor Lee Jae-gap, an infectious disease specialist at Hallym University Gangnam Sacred Heart Hospital presented the latest data on Covid-19 trends and vaccine effectiveness.

He warned that hospitalizations have increased for three consecutive months, with more than 60 percent of cases occurring in patients aged 65 and older.

“Covid-19 does not only cause severe acute illness but can also lead to long-term complications such as fatigue and cognitive decline,” Lee said. “Annual vaccination with updated boosters is critical to maintain immunity and protect quality of life.”

Francesca Ceddia, Moderna’s Chief Medical Affairs Officer, outlined the company’s respiratory vaccine strategy under the theme “Moderna’s mRNA innovation beyond Covid-19.”

She noted that Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine has been administered in more than one billion doses worldwide, with consistent evidence of safety and effectiveness.

She added that clinical studies demonstrated comparable immunogenicity and safety when Moderna’s vaccine was administered together with influenza vaccines, underscoring the value of dual vaccination for high-risk groups.

Recent data show that Covid-19 remains a greater burden on Korea’s healthcare system than influenza. In the past six months, the number of Covid-19 hospitalizations has been nearly three times higher than that of influenza, with elderly patients making up the majority of admissions.

In 2024, 19,562 older adults aged 65 and older were hospitalized for Covid-19, compared with 6,205 influenza patients. Experts said the figures highlight the need for enhanced vaccination efforts.

“The protective effect of vaccination extends beyond preventing hospitalization and death,” Lee said. “Studies show vaccination can reduce the risk of long Covid by up to 58 percent. Covid-19 should be managed as a long-term condition, much like influenza.”

Korea’s seasonal Covid-19 vaccination program for 2025–26 will begin on Oct. 15, with free shots available for those 65 and older, immunocompromised patients, and residents of high-risk facilities. Experts strongly recommend updated vaccination regardless of prior doses, citing the continuous emergence of new variants.

This season’s updated vaccine, Spikevax LP.8.1, was approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in May.

Designed to induce strong immune responses against the LP.8.1 variant, preliminary phase 4 trial analyses showed that neutralizing antibodies rose more than eightfold among adults aged 12–64 with underlying conditions and those aged 65 and above. The vaccine is also expected to provide protection against other currently circulating strains, including NB.1.8.1 and XFG.

“Moderna’s updated vaccines have consistently shown strong immune responses, even in older populations,” Ceddia said. “Co-administration with influenza vaccines has also proven safe and effective, making it an important strategy for protecting high-risk groups this winter.”

Kim Sang-pyo, general manager of Moderna Korea, said the company would prioritize vaccine access for vulnerable populations.

“Our top priority is to protect high-risk groups such as older adults,” Kim said. “We will work closely with the government and healthcare providers to ensure the seasonal vaccination program proceeds without disruption.”