Free Flu Shots for Seniors: Age 75 and Over Start October 6 -- Start Dates by Birth Year and What to Check When You Get COVID-19 and Pneumococcal Shots Too

Start dates come in three stages by birth year

Age 65 and over means anyone born on or before December 31, 1961. The older you are, the earlier you start. Age 75 and over (born 1951 or earlier) starts on Tuesday, October 6; ages 70-74 (born 1952-1956) on Monday, October 12; ages 65-69 (born 1957-1961) on Thursday, October 15. The program runs until April 30, 2027, and high-risk groups such as the immunocompromised were told they can be vaccinated from October 6 after consulting a doctor, regardless of the age-based start dates.

Over a week earlier than last year

In the 2025-2026 season, the shots began on October 15 for ages 75 and over, October 20 for ages 70-74 and October 22 for ages 65-69. This year each group starts 9, 8 and 7 days earlier. Notices from local public health centers describe the change as a pre-emptive response to a flu season arriving earlier than usual. In the reported KDCA figures, the week-37 influenza-like illness rate in 2026 was 31.0 per 1,000 outpatients, against 6.7 at the same point last year, more than four times higher. Because the schedule has already been adjusted once, it is safer to recheck the dates on the KDCA or public health center notices before you go.

Many people misread the start date as the day you must get the shot, but it is only the day the government begins paying. Antibodies are said to take about two weeks to develop, so getting vaccinated before the flu wave grows is better. Since the program runs until April 30, though, going next week is still free if the first few crowded days put you off.

Check your ID, the location and the vaccine stock first

Adults 65 and over only need an ID that confirms who you are and your year of birth. You can get the shot free at any participating clinic or public health center nationwide, regardless of where you live. This year's vaccine is a trivalent vaccine, and a total of 12.33 million doses was announced as secured. Stock differs from clinic to clinic, so checking on the KDCA's vaccination assistant website whether the clinic you plan to visit has vaccine saves a wasted trip.

COVID-19 vaccines start October 12 for ages 70 and over

COVID-19 vaccination is also managed as a national immunization program from this year. The start date is October 12 for ages 70 and over and immunocompromised people aged 12 and over, and October 15 for ages 65-69, and it continues until June 30, 2027. In its September 17 announcement, the KDCA recommended getting the flu and COVID-19 vaccines together for people 65 and over and said both can be received free in a single visit. The vaccine is an XFG-lineage vaccine, one dose for most people and two for the immunocompromised. The fact that about 63% of COVID-19 inpatients are 65 or older was given as the reason for the recommendation.

The pneumococcal vaccine is free once after 65

Another thing to check at flu time is the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). One free dose is provided for adults 65 and over, available year-round at public health centers and participating clinics. If you already had it after turning 65, you do not need it again, so look at your vaccination record first. I could not confirm whether it can be given on the same day as the flu vaccine, so you should ask the clinic directly. Turning 65 also brings health insurance coverage for dental implants and dentures, and the conditions are laid out in the post on health insurance for implants and dentures at 65.

Stay 20-30 minutes after the shot

KDCA guidance asks you to stay at the clinic for 20-30 minutes after vaccination so that any adverse reaction can be watched. Pain or swelling at the injection site, a mild fever and muscle aches can occur, and you should see a doctor if symptoms are severe or last long. While you are at the clinic, it is also worth checking whether you are due for screening. Each cancer has its own starting age and interval, and you can check whether you are covered in the national cancer screening guide.

If you are not eligible, or you are arranging this for a parent

Adults under 65 are mostly not covered by the free program, and in that case each clinic sets its own price. It is better to compare per-clinic vaccination prices on the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service website and then phone ahead to confirm stock. If a parent with limited mobility is receiving long-term care services, it is also worth checking whether a copayment reduction applies. Low-income households can get 40% or 60% off, and for cases where it was not applied automatically, see the post on long-term care copayment reductions.

The steps in order

(1) Check your start date by birth year (age 75 and over October 6, ages 70-74 October 12, ages 65-69 October 15). (2) Bring your ID and check the clinic's stock on the vaccination assistant site. (3) COVID-19 starts October 12 for ages 70 and over and October 15 for ages 65-69, so schedule on or after those dates if you want both on the same day. (4) For the pneumococcal vaccine, check your history after age 65 first. (5) Stay at the clinic for 20-30 minutes after the shot. This post is general information compiled from published KDCA notices and press reports and does not replace medical care; if you have allergies or an existing condition, please talk to your doctor before vaccination.