Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital

Get Flu and COVID-19 Shots for Good Health : Government-funded Flu and COVID Vaccination Campaign Launched on October 1

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) today held the “Get Flu and COVID-19 Shots for Good Health” press conference to mark the start of the 2024 government-funded influenza and COVID-19 vaccination campaign. The event was attended by Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-Yuan, Taiwan CDC Director-General Chuang Jen-Hsiang, Taiwan CDC Deputy Director-General Lo Yi-Chun, Director of Family Medicine Cheng Shao-Yi at National Taiwan University Hospital, Director of the Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infectious Diseases Huang  Yen-Fang, and epidemic prevention ambassador Apple (Huang Wei-Ting) and her husband Zhao Guo-Xiang, a dentist. During the event, Minister Chiu, Director-General Chuang, campaign ambassador Apple, and Dr. Zhao were all among the first to receive their vaccinations. They encouraged eligible people to get vaccinated according to the vaccination schedule as soon as possible to build full protection to protect themselves and their families.

Minister Chiu announced that, this year, the government would provide approximately 6.43 million doses of the government-funded quadrivalent influenza vaccine and about 5.5 million doses of the new JN.1 COVID-19 vaccine. He said that the protection from previous vaccinations can last for about one year due to the rapid mutation of the influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 as well as changes in the dominant strains every year. Therefore, Minister Chiu advised the public to receive the updated vaccines against the viruses annually for optimal protection.

Dr. Cheng, Director of Family Medicine at National Taiwan University Hospital, urged members of the public who are eligible in the first stage of the campaign, including seniors over 65, young children, and high-risk groups to get vaccinated with the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. She pointed out that the campaign offers the concurrent administration of the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines to increase the vaccination rate among high-risk groups. The two vaccines can be administered at different sites on the body on the same day or at different times to build protection against the viruses and to reduce the risk of severe complications following infection for high-risk individuals.

Campaign ambassador Apple shared her personal story. She said that she is particularly motivated to receive the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines this year to protect both herself and her son, who is nearly six months old. She also reminded her relatives eligible in the first stage to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Dr. Zhao emphasized the importance of vaccines in safeguarding the health of citizens and encouraged the public to adhere to vaccination schedules for effective protection and to practice good hygiene habits.

Taiwan CDC explained that this year’s government-funded influenza and COVID-19 vaccination campaign would be launched in two stages. The first stage started on October 1, and the second stage will begin on November 1. During the second stage, influenza vaccines will be available to adults aged 50 to 64 who don’t have high-risk chronic conditions, and the new JN.1 COVID-19 vaccine will be available to everyone aged six months and older. To improve access to COVID-19 vaccinations, Taiwan CDC issued notices on September 23 to vaccination sites to allow them to also administer the COVID-19 vaccine to those accompanying individuals eligible for the first stage.  Starting October 1, healthcare facilities and public health centers are allowed to administer COVID-19 vaccines to those accompanying eligible individuals in the first stage who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in the second stage, without needing to wait for the official start date of the second stage, November 1.

Taiwan CDC also reminds that nearly 4,000 clinics and hospitals have been contracted to provide vaccinations nationwide this year. However, the approaching Typhoon Krathon might disrupt vaccination efforts due to potential closure of offices, schools, or clinics. Members of the public are advised to find a nearby vaccination site by  checking the website of their local health department, the Taiwan CDC Anti-Flu website, the latest information section on Taiwan CDC’s Get Influenza and COVID-19 Shots Together website, or the Disease Control Butler or by calling the Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline at 1922. People can call the vaccination site to confirm vaccination availability or make appointments to avoid unnecessary travel or reduce wait times. Additionally, when attending a vaccination appointment, individuals should bring their National Health Insurance card and relevant documents (such as the Children’s Health Booklet or Maternal Health Booklet), wear masks, maintain safe distances, and practice hand hygiene.