As of August 28, 2023, South Koreans in their twenties had the highest coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination rate in South Korea for the initial two shots, at 99.8 percent and 98.9 percent respectively. All adult age groups reported very high vaccination rates. Winter booster shot rates however were much lower across all age groups, though older age groups were more likely to have gotten them. Only around 13 percent of people nationwide have been vaccinated with a bivalent winter booster, which is more effective against current dominant strains. These shots were only offered in the winter of 2022.

For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

As of August 28, 2023, the province of Jeonnam (South Jeolla Province) had the highest coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination rate in South Korea for all available vaccines. While 90 percent of people in Jeonnam got the first COVID-19 shot, the national vaccination rate lies below that, at 87.5 percent. Only 14.1 percent of people nationwide have been vaccinated with a bivalent booster, which is more effective against current dominant strains. These shots were only offered in the winter of 2022. A total of six provinces have higher vaccination rates than the national average, including the capital city of Seoul.

For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

The number of COVID-19 vaccination doses administered per 100 people in South Korea rose to 250 as of Oct 27 2023. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for South Korea Coronavirus Vaccination Rate.

The immunisation of influenza in South Korea increased by two percent of population aged 65 years or over (+2.5 percent) in 2022. In total, the immunisation amounted to 82.1 percent of population aged 65 years or over in 2022. This increase was preceded by a declining immunisation in this industry.Find more statistics on other topics about South Korea with key insights such as number of caesarian sections performed and share of children immunized against measles.

In 2022, the immunisation of measles in South Korea remained nearly unchanged at around 97.3 percent of children aged less than one year. In comparison to 2021, the immunisation decreased not significantly by 0.3 percent of children aged less than one year (-0.31 percent). Find more statistics on other topics about South Korea with key insights such as number of caesarian sections performed and share of elderly people immunized against influenza.

As of August 28, 2023, confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) patients in their forties made up the largest share of patients in South Korea, amounting to around 15.2 percent of all positive cases. The first wave lasted until April, with the second wave following in August of 2020. This was further followed by a fourth wave, driven by the delta and omicron variants. Though the country has since achieved high vaccination rates, the omicron variant led to record new daily cases in 2022.

Patient profile

In South Korea, the infection rate of coronavirus was the highest among people in the twenties due to their social activities. Indeed, the new infections related to the clubgoers in Seoul are likely to increase the infection rate between young people. 158 out of 261 clubgoer-related confirmed patients were in teenagers or in their twenties, and 36 patients were in their thirties. The mortality rate of coronavirus by age group was somewhat different from the age distribution of total infection cases. It was highest among people in their eighties, with this group making up around 59.6 percent of deaths related to the coronavirus in South Korea. Mortality declined with each younger age group.

Daily life changes

In South Korea, a new policy of "With Corona" has been launched in order to ease society back into a new norm of living with the virus, without having too many restrictions in place. This is based on high vaccination rates, and includes strict quarantine measures for those who are infected and their close contacts. There are plans to improve the verification of vaccination and test certificates for use in public spaces. Most South Koreans have responded to rising numbers by once again avoiding crowded places or going out. It is common to wear masks regardless of diseases, so people are continuing to wear masks when they need to go out. Also, people prefer to do online shopping than physical shopping, and online sales of food and health-related products have increased by more than 700 percent compared to last year. Spending on living, cooking, and furniture has increased significantly as people spend more time at home.

Korea Immunization: DPT: % of Children Aged 12-23 Months data was reported at 98.000 % in 2016. This stayed constant from the previous number of 98.000 % for 2015. Korea Immunization: DPT: % of Children Aged 12-23 Months data is updated yearly, averaging 90.500 % from Dec 1981 (Median) to 2016, with 36 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 99.000 % in 2014 and a record low of 57.000 % in 1987. Korea Immunization: DPT: % of Children Aged 12-23 Months data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.World Bank: Health Statistics. Child immunization, DPT, measures the percentage of children ages 12-23 months who received DPT vaccinations before 12 months or at any time before the survey. A child is considered adequately immunized against diphtheria, pertussis (or whooping cough), and tetanus (DPT) after receiving three doses of vaccine.; ; WHO and UNICEF (http://www.who.int/immunization/monitoring_surveillance/en/).; Weighted average;

Even though they are important determinants for increasing vaccination rates in advanced and developing nations alike, maternal capacity and decisional authority have not been fully elucidated in diverse countries and cultural spheres. This study examined the effects of South Korean, Chinese, and Japanese mothers’ health literacy, self-efficacy, mass media use, and decisional authority on their children’s vaccination after adjustment for their socioeconomic statuses. Computer-assisted web interviews were conducted with married women in their 20s-40s of South Korean, Chinese, or Japanese nationality (n = 1,571). Dependent variables were generated for the following four vaccinations: BCG, diphtheria+pertussis+tetanus (DPT), poliomyelitis (polio), and measles. For statistical processing, cases where all four types of vaccines had been recorded were scored as 1 and other cases were processed as 0. According to the results of the pooled model, we found that for East Asian mothers, decisional authority, self-efficacy, and health literacy all increased the likelihood that they would vaccinate their children. Furthermore, women who searched for health information through media such as the radio were more likely to vaccinate their children. However, when elaborate analyses were conducted by country, there were considerable differences in those characteristics by country. Therefore, this study showed that it is necessary to establish locally tailored strategies in order to raise vaccination rates in the Global Vaccine Action Plan. This study also showed that social contexts must be taken into consideration in order to raise vaccination rates.

As of October 27, 2022, around 131.8 million coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations were recorded in South Korea. At the beginning of the vaccination campaign, the Korean government announced a COVID-19 vaccination plan for employees under the age of 65 in nursing hospitals or facilities, high-risk medical institutions, and the first responding group including emergency personnel or quarantine personnel, etc. The AstraZeneca vaccine was to be used for this priority group and the vaccination was scheduled to take place from February until May. Furthermore, vaccinations were planned for staff in hospitals treating COVID-19 patients, and the Pfizer vaccine was to be used for this group. South Korea's handling of the coronavirus (COVID-19) was initially widely praised, though the government's handling of vaccine distribution has been criticized.

For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

The average for 2022 based on 187 countries was 85 percent. The highest value was in Antigua and Barbuda: 99 percent and the lowest value was in North Korea: 0 percent. The indicator is available from 1980 to 2022. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The average for 2022 based on 45 countries was 88 percent. The highest value was in Bahrain: 99 percent and the lowest value was in North Korea: 0 percent. The indicator is available from 1980 to 2022. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The South Korean vaccine market soared to $1B in 2024, picking up by 38% against the previous year. In general, the total consumption indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -0.4% against 2022 indices.

As of August 28, 2023, around 54 percent of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) patients in South Korea were female. South Korea's handling of the coronavirus (COVID-19) was initially widely praised, though the government's handling of vaccine distribution has been criticized. The first wave lasted until April, after which Seoul and the metropolitan areas were hit hard by a few group infections during the second wave in August 2020. This was followed by a fourth wave, driven by the delta variant and low vaccination rates, leading to rising figures. Though the country has since achieved high vaccination rates, the omicron variant led to record new daily cases in 2022.

For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

Immunization, Hib3 (% of children ages 12-23 months) in South Korea was reported at 96 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Korea - Immunization, Hib3 (% of children ages 12-23 months) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

According to a survey conducted in 2021, around 69.1 percent of South Korean students stated they were willing to get vaccinated against the coronavirus (COVID-19). Roughly 14 percent were unsure, while the rest did not want to receive the vaccine. Children between the ages of 12 and 17 years have been able to get vaccinated as of October 5, 2021 in South Korea.

North Korea KP: Immunization: Measles: % of Children Aged 12-23 Months data was reported at 99.000 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 98.000 % for 2015. North Korea KP: Immunization: Measles: % of Children Aged 12-23 Months data is updated yearly, averaging 95.000 % from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2016, with 37 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 99.000 % in 2016 and a record low of 29.000 % in 1982. North Korea KP: Immunization: Measles: % of Children Aged 12-23 Months data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s North Korea – Table KP.World Bank: Health Statistics. Child immunization, measles, measures the percentage of children ages 12-23 months who received the measles vaccination before 12 months or at any time before the survey. A child is considered adequately immunized against measles after receiving one dose of vaccine.; ; WHO and UNICEF (http://www.who.int/immunization/monitoring_surveillance/en/).; Weighted average;

Influenza vaccination rates and sociodemographic factors in target groups.

IntroductionMeasles remains a public health concern, particularly among populations with suboptimal vaccination coverage, including immigrants. Understanding the seroprevalence of measles antibodies in immigrant populations is essential to inform tailored vaccination strategies and reduce the risk of measles reintroduction.MethodsThis study evaluated measles IgG seroprevalence among 651 immigrants from 30 countries residing in Gwangju, South Korea. Participants were recruited between September 2022 and August 2024, and measles antibody levels were assessed using the LIAISON® XL assay. Statistical analyses included Fisher’s exact and chi-squared tests to identify associations between seropositivity and demographic factors.ResultsMeasles antibody positivity rates varied significantly by age group (p < 0.01). Individuals born after 1995 exhibited the lowest seroprevalence (63.7%), while those born in 1964 or earlier were all seropositive (100%). Seroprevalence was particularly low among immigrants from Russia (68.1%), Kazakhstan (70.6%), Ukraine (72.7%), Mongolia (75.5%), and Cambodia (78.1%). Long-term residents demonstrated higher antibody positivity (92.9%) than other visa categories (p < 0.01), and women had higher seropositivity (85.8%) compared to men (80.0%), with a near-significant difference (p = 0.05).DiscussionThe higher seropositivity observed among long-term residents and women is likely due to prior immunization with the MMR (Measles Mumps Rubella) vaccine, which is recommended to prevent congenital rubella syndrome as part of pre-pregnancy vaccination protocols. This study underscores the importance of implementing tailored vaccination programs based on the characteristics of immigrant populations and focusing on countries with low seroprevalence to effectively prevent measles reintroduction.

The South Korea healthcare cold chain logistics market size reached USD 302.4 Million in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 852.2 Million by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2% during 2025-2033.

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the South Korea healthcare cold chain logistics market report, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels from 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on product and segment.

North Korea KP: Immunization: HepB3: % of One-Year-Old Children data was reported at 96.000 % in 2016. This stayed constant from the previous number of 96.000 % for 2015. North Korea KP: Immunization: HepB3: % of One-Year-Old Children data is updated yearly, averaging 93.000 % from Dec 2003 (Median) to 2016, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 98.000 % in 2004 and a record low of 27.000 % in 2003. North Korea KP: Immunization: HepB3: % of One-Year-Old Children data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s North Korea – Table KP.World Bank: Health Statistics. Child immunization rate, hepatitis B is the percentage of children ages 12-23 months who received hepatitis B vaccinations before 12 months or at any time before the survey. A child is considered adequately immunized after three doses.; ; WHO and UNICEF (http://www.who.int/immunization/monitoring_surveillance/en/).; Weighted average;