From April 7, seniors 65+ and immunocompromised individuals can receive an extra COVID‑19 dose to boost protection and lower the risk of severe illness or death.

The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter referred to as the CDC) announced today (the 12th) that, considering individuals aged 65 and older (55 and older for Indigenous peoples) and patients with immunodeficiency or weakened immunity are high‑risk groups for severe illness or death after infection, measures are being taken to enhance health protection for these high‑risk groups. Referring to international vaccination recommendations and after discussion at the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Advisory Committee’s Vaccination Working Group (ACIP), starting April 7, 2026, an additional dose of COVID‑19 vaccine will be offered to people aged 65 and older, Indigenous people aged 55‑64, and anyone aged 6 months or older with immunodeficiency or weakened immunity, with at least a six‑month (180‑day) interval from the previous dose. To date, more than 1.66 million COVID‑19 vaccine doses have been administered, including about 1 million doses to those aged 65 and older; roughly 750,000 of them are eligible to receive a second dose by the end of April this year. The CDC urges eligible individuals to get vaccinated promptly and also encourages those who have not yet been vaccinated to do so to build immune protection.

Source: Centers for Disease Control

Data compiled: Surveillance Management Office