Flu Shots in Busan for Foreigners — Where, When & How (2026 Guide)
Flu season in Korea runs from roughly October through March, and it hits hard. If you're a foreigner living in or visiting Busan, getting a flu shot is one of the easiest things you can do to protect yourself — and you don't need to navigate the Korean healthcare system alone to do it.
☎ Call 051-802-7550 Walk-ins welcome · 5 min from Seomyeon Station Exit 7
Here's everything you need to know about getting a flu shot in Busan.
Why Get a Flu Shot in Korea?
Korea's flu season overlaps with cold, dry winters and heavy use of public transit and heated indoor spaces — all perfect conditions for the virus to spread. If you're working, studying, or traveling here, getting sick means missed days and miserable recovery far from home.
The flu vaccine is safe, widely available, and affordable in Korea.
Not feeling well? Just walk in.
No appointment needed during clinic hours. Questions? Call us first.
☎ 051-802-7550How to Get a Flu Shot at Kim Joo-in Internal Medicine (Seomyeon)
- Walk in — no appointment needed
- Tell the front desk you want a flu shot (독감 예방접종 / dokgam yebangjeopjong)
- Brief check — the doctor will confirm you have no contraindications
- Get the shot — takes about 1 minute
- Wait 15 minutes — standard observation period after any vaccination
- Done — the whole visit takes about 20–30 minutes
Practical Tips
- Bring your passport if you can. Tourists can get a flu shot without one. Residents who use Korean health insurance need a photo ID, such as an ARC or passport
- Mention allergies — especially egg allergies, as some vaccines are egg-based
- No Korean needed — Dr. Kim can handle the consultation in basic English
- Walk-ins welcome — but calling ahead during peak season (Oct–Nov) is smart
Kim Joo-in Internal Medicine · Dr. Kim Joo-in
A neighborhood clinic with a university-hospital background
- 14 years as an internal-medicine professor at Inje University Busan Paik Hospital
- Featured by the Busan Ilbo as a 'Best Doctor' (respiratory & allergy)
- Named an excellent respiratory-disease hospital 3 years in a row by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service
- Pulmonary function tests, allergy tests, ultrasound and endoscopy performed in-house
Visit us
Seomyeon Station Exit 7 — 5 minutes on foot
(부산광역시 부산진구 서면로 64 청석빌딩 8층 — show this to your taxi driver)
5 min walk from Seomyeon Station Exit 7 · Naver Map
Saturday 9:15 AM – 2:00 PM — no lunch break
Closed Sundays and public holidays
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. Please see a doctor for medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get a flu shot in Busan as a foreigner?
Kim Joo-in Internal Medicine Clinic in Seomyeon, Busan offers flu shots to foreigners. The clinic is a 5-minute walk from Seomyeon Station Exit 7 and welcomes walk-ins during business hours.
How much does a flu shot cost in Busan?
Kim Joo-in Internal Medicine offers flu shots to foreigners. Eligible groups (children, seniors 65+, pregnant women) with NHIS may receive free shots during the October-April national vaccination period. For current pricing, please contact the clinic at 051-802-7550.
Do I need an appointment for a flu shot in Busan?
No appointment is necessary. Kim Joo-in Internal Medicine accepts walk-ins during business hours: Monday-Friday 9:15-18:15, Saturday 9:15-14:00.
When is flu season in Korea?
Korean flu season runs from October through March, with peak activity in December and February. The best time to get vaccinated is October or November, before community spread begins.
What documents do I need to bring for a flu shot?
Tourists do not need a passport for a flu shot. Please bring it if you can: your medical record and any prescription need an ID number, and for tourists this is usually the passport number. If you live in Korea and use Korean health insurance (NHIS), bring your ARC or passport. By law, the clinic must check a photo ID before it applies your insurance. You can pay by credit card or cash. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted. Mention any egg allergies or vaccine reactions during consultation.
Sources
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) — Influenza (Korean)
Prepared by Kim Joo-in Internal Medicine from public health agency information.