The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter CDC) said today (the 25th) that, considering the domestic COVID-19 situation has entered an endemic phase, and data show that severe local cases are still predominantly among people aged 65 and older and those with chronic disease histories, with over 90% of them not having received this season's COVID-19 vaccine. To safeguard public health, after consulting the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Advisory Committee, it was decided to expand the publicly funded COVID-19 vaccine to individuals aged 6 months and older who have not yet been vaccinated, extending the vaccination program until September 28 of this year, and urging those who have not yet received this season's COVID-19 vaccine to complete vaccination promptly to gain immune protection against this wave of the epidemic.
The CDC points out that the currently provided COVID-19 vaccines still offer protection against the currently circulating variants. As of today (July 24, 2026), cumulative vaccinations for this season total about 1.74 million doses, with vaccination rates among those aged 65 and older at 21% for the first dose and 0.56% for the second dose. Domestic COVID-19 vaccine stock is sufficient, with 443,000 doses remaining (including about 440,000 doses of Moderna vaccine and about 3,000 doses of Novavax vaccine), and the Novavax vaccine expires on July 31 of this year. It also reminds that the three high‑risk groups—people aged 65 and older, Indigenous people aged 55 and older, and immunocompromised individuals—if they have received one dose and at least six months (180 days) have passed, may receive a second dose to boost protection.
The CDC states that in response to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, besides vaccines, the agency is also inventorying and preparing medicines and rapid tests. Publicly funded oral antiviral Paxlovid remains available for 169,000 courses, Xocova for 17,000 courses, and injectable remdesivir stock is 153,000 doses; inventories are ample to meet this wave's needs and there are open contracts for additional procurement. If individuals develop suspected symptoms, they can purchase home‑use rapid test kits at convenience stores, supermarkets, or pharmacies for self‑testing; those with risk factors for severe disease who develop symptoms should seek medical care promptly so physicians can diagnose early and prescribe antiviral drugs, reducing the risk of complications or death after infection.
The CDC reminds the public to continue practicing frequent hand washing, wearing masks, and getting vaccinated as self‑protection measures. For information on COVID‑19 vaccination sites, publicly funded oral antiviral contract sites, and the latest prevention policies, you may visit the CDC's global website (https://www.cdc.gov.tw) “COVID‑19 Prevention Zone”, or call the toll‑free prevention hotline 1922 (or 0800‑001922) for inquiries. In addition, about 630,000 home‑use COVID‑19 rapid test kits are available to meet public testing needs; related information can be found at the FDA’s “Home COVID‑19 Test Kit Supply Information Zone” (https://reurl.cc/XxWbbM), or you can inquire at nearby pharmacies, convenience stores, and other sales channels.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled: Sensory Management Office
