The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter referred to as CDC) announced on October 13, 2026 that the publicly funded influenza and COVID-19 vaccines for fiscal year 115 officially began on October 1. As of October 12, the cumulative number of domestic influenza vaccine doses administered reached approximately 2.267 million, which is 1.16 times the 1.96 million in the same period of 2025, and COVID-19 vaccine administrations have exceeded 781,000, which is 1.5 times the 537,000 in the same period last year, indicating enthusiastic uptake. Recently, due to the influence of the northeast monsoon, temperatures have been gradually dropping, and the activity of respiratory viruses is expected to rise with the seasonal change. The CDC urges seniors aged 65 and above and high‑risk groups with chronic illnesses to promptly complete this season's influenza and COVID‑19 vaccinations to obtain immune protection and reduce the risk of severe illness and death after infection. In addition, starting October 1, 2026, individuals aged 18 and over who complete vaccination can accumulate “Health Coins”; receiving the COVID‑19, influenza, and pneumococcal vaccines yields 900, 450, and 600 Health Coins respectively, encouraging everyone to “take care of health” while “earning coins”.
The CDC stated that to stock COVID‑19 vaccines produced by different processes for individuals who are not suitable for mRNA vaccines, 200,000 doses of Novavax XFG vaccine have been purchased this year, with the first batch of 150,000 doses already arrived in Taiwan and sealed. For the planning of vaccination sites across counties and cities, the vaccine will be made available to publicly funded recipients aged 12 and over starting October 19. In response to the enthusiastic uptake of COVID‑19 vaccination this year, the CDC will purchase an additional 174,000 doses of Novavax XFG vaccine, which, after importation and completion of subsequent inspection and distribution, could be offered to the public as early as mid‑November. Publicly funded recipients aged 12 and over who have not yet received this season's COVID‑19 vaccine may choose either the Moderna or Novavax brand, while those aged 6 months to 11 years may only receive the Moderna XFG vaccine. Both vaccines are safe and effective against the currently circulating dominant strains; eligible individuals are urged to be vaccinated promptly. Regarding influenza vaccines, in response to the ongoing flu outbreak and the Health Coin policy that boosts vaccination willingness, to protect the health of various high‑risk groups and reduce severe illness and death, the CDC will place an additional order for 200,000 publicly funded influenza vaccine doses and is evaluating the purchase of another 100,000 doses, pending current stock availability from manufacturers. If successful, distribution to local health bureaus is expected in early November to safeguard the public’s vaccination rights.
According to CDC monitoring data, the domestic influenza epidemic has eased but remains in the epidemic period. In week 40 (Oct 4‑Oct 10), influenza‑related emergency and outpatient visits totaled 128,847, an 8.9% decrease from the previous week. In the past week (Oct 6‑Oct 12), there were 144 new severe influenza cases (132 H1N1, 10 untyped A, 2 B) and 46 deaths (all H1N1). Laboratory surveillance data show that the influenza viruses circulating in the community are primarily type A, with A‑H1N1 accounting for 91.8%. In the current (115‑116) flu season, there have been 149 severe cases (139 H1N1, 9 untyped A, 1 B) and 15 deaths (all H1N1); in the previous (114‑115) flu season, there were 1,887 severe cases (1,259 H1N1, 511 H3N2, 25 untyped A, 92 B) and 409 deaths (278 H1N1, 107 H3N2, 12 untyped A, 12 B). Among the severe cases, the majority were seniors aged 65 and above (66.3%) and individuals with chronic disease histories (83.6%), and 67.1% had not received the season’s influenza vaccine. The domestic COVID‑19 situation has also declined. In week 40 (Oct 4‑Oct 10), COVID‑19 emergency and outpatient visits numbered 5,261, a 35.2% decrease from the previous week (Sept 27‑Oct 3). In the past week (Oct 6‑12), there were 21 new locally acquired severe cases and 15 local deaths. In the current season (Oct 1, 2026‑Sep 30, 2027), there have been 31 local severe cases, including 5 deaths; in the previous season (Oct 1, 2025‑Sep 30, 2026), there were 783 local severe COVID‑19 cases, with 173 deaths. Severe cases were predominantly seniors aged 65 and above (73.7%) and those with chronic disease histories (83.0%), and 83.8% had not received the season’s COVID‑19 vaccine. In the past four weeks, the predominant local variant strains have been PQ.16.1.1 and NB.1.8.1.
The CDC urges that receiving influenza and COVID‑19 vaccines is one of the best ways to prevent disease; seniors, young children, and individuals with chronic conditions—high‑risk groups—should complete vaccination promptly to gain protection before the peak of the outbreak and reduce the risk of severe illness and death after infection. The public is also reminded that when attending gatherings, meals, or interacting with seniors and children, they must practice proper hand hygiene and cough etiquette, consistently wash hands, wear masks when experiencing fever, cough, or flu‑like symptoms, and stay home when ill. If any danger signs appear—such as rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, cyanosis, blood‑streaked sputum, chest pain, altered consciousness, or low blood pressure—seek medical attention promptly for timely diagnosis and treatment. Information on contracted medical institutions for COVID‑19 vaccination and related details can be found on the CDC’s official website under the “Fiscal Year 115 Left Flu Right New Lung‑Protecting Heart‑Care Vaccine Vaccination Zone” or on the websites of local health bureaus.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled: Sensory Management Office
