Taipei: Taiwan has commenced its annual free vaccination program against influenza and COVID-19 across hospitals and medical facilities nationwide. However, unlike the previous year, the COVID-19 vaccine is no longer universally available, as per the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
According to Focus Taiwan, the vaccination initiative, which precedes the annual flu season starting in November, has been divided into two phases. The first phase commenced on October 1, targeting seniors aged 65 and above, Indigenous people aged 55 and above, preschool children aged 6 months and older, individuals with high-risk or chronic diseases, pregnant women, parents of infants under 6 months, employees at child care or long-term care facilities, and health care and disease-control personnel. The second phase, beginning on November 1, will extend eligibility to individuals aged 50 and above without high-risk or chronic conditions for both vaccines. Meanwhile, students from elementary to senior high school and those in animal disease control are eligible for free flu shots but not COVID-19 vaccines in the initial phase.
The CDC has indicated that approximately 4,000 clinics and hospitals across Taiwan are offering these free vaccination services. Eligible individuals are encouraged to verify locations through local health bureau websites, the CDC website, or by contacting the CDC's 1922 hotline.
Unlike last year, the eligibility for free COVID-19 vaccinations has been narrowed, excluding healthy individuals aged 6-49. CDC Director-General Lo Yi-chun explained that the decision follows global trends, noting the decline in severe COVID-19 cases and deaths, and the disease's removal from Taiwan's top 10 causes of death. The World Health Organization and health authorities in several countries have similarly shifted towards targeting high-risk groups only.
For those not eligible for free COVID-19 shots, CDC Spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui mentioned that arrangements have been made with 10 contract hospitals in various regions to provide self-paid vaccinations starting October 1. Details are available on the CDC website. The CDC might consider extending free COVID-19 vaccinations to all after reassessing the situation post-vaccination of high-risk groups, potentially aligning with the flu policy early in 2025.
Regarding the vaccines, Taiwan has transitioned from a quadrivalent to a trivalent flu vaccine this year, following the WHO's guidance, as the Influenza B/Yamagata strain has not been in circulation since 2020. The CDC procured 6.86 million influenza doses from five suppliers, including local and international firms, and approximately 2.77 million doses of Moderna's and 300,000 doses of Novavax's COVID-19 vaccines.
The CDC has confirmed that individuals can receive both vaccines simultaneously, with studies indicating similar immune responses and side-effect rates as receiving them separately. The organization promotes this approach with the slogan: "Flu shot in the left arm, COVID-19 shot in the right."
Taiwan is currently experiencing an active flu season, with medical visits surpassing previous autumn peaks. The dominant flu strain has shifted, potentially increasing susceptibility to reinfection. While COVID-19 cases have decreased since their peak earlier this year, the CDC anticipates a potential rise in infections by mid-to-late October, following regional patterns.