The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter referred to as CDC) announced on September 29, 2026 that the first phase of the 2026 publicly funded influenza and COVID‑19 vaccination program will begin on October 1, targeting 11 categories: medical and health epidemic‑prevention personnel; persons aged 65 and over; Indigenous people aged 55–64; residents and staff of nursing homes and long‑term care (service) institutions; children aged 6 months and older up to before elementary school enrollment (the COVID‑19 vaccine portion only includes those under 6 years old who have never received a COVID‑19 vaccine); pregnant women; persons with underlying conditions, including high‑risk chronic patients, those with BMI ≥ 30, patients with rare diseases and serious illness (the COVID‑19 vaccine portion includes tuberculosis, disability, mental illness and dementia patients); parents or actual caregivers of infants younger than 6 months; staff of kindergartens and childcare centers, as well as home‑based caregivers (nannies); students from elementary school through senior high (vocational) / five‑year junior college years 1‑3 (only for publicly funded influenza vaccine); poultry and livestock‑related and animal‑epidemic‑prevention personnel (only for publicly funded influenza vaccine).
The second phase, starting November 2, will open both vaccines to adults aged 50–64 without high‑risk chronic diseases.
The CDC explained that this year’s influenza vaccination plan procures approximately 6.449 million doses of standard influenza vaccine and about 170 000 doses of high‑dose influenza vaccine. After the launch, an additional 200 000 standard doses and 30 000 high‑dose doses may be ordered based on actual demand. The high‑dose vaccine will be prioritized for residents aged 65 and over and staff of nursing homes and long‑term care (service) institutions, to address demographic changes and seasonal epidemic challenges.
The CDC reminds that people who meet the eligibility criteria for the publicly funded influenza vaccine this year should actively get vaccinated to obtain sufficient protection before the influenza peak season arrives.
For the COVID‑19 vaccine, 2.2 million doses of Moderna COVID‑19 vaccine have been purchased, including 1.9 million single‑dose vials and 300 000 multi‑dose vials. The 1.9 million single‑dose vials are intended for individuals aged 12 and older and have been fully upgraded to a next‑generation vaccine, with an antigen dose that is one‑fifth of the previous generation. Evidence shows that the incidence of fever and any local adverse reactions after vaccination is reduced by about half; clinical studies also demonstrate that it can elicit nearly twice the antibody response, providing better immune protection than the previous generation vaccine.
The CDC stated that in 2026 there are approximately 4 000 contracted vaccination sites for influenza/COVID‑19 vaccines across Taiwan. After the vaccines are launched, the public can use local government health bureau websites, the CDC’s “Influenza and COVID‑19 Vaccine and Antiviral Map” (VAX MAP), the CDC app, or call the 1922 epidemic‑prevention consultation hotline to locate nearby contracted sites, then call the site to schedule an appointment, ensuring smooth vaccination and reducing on‑site waiting time.
When going for vaccination, please bring your National Health Insurance card and relevant documents such as a child health handbook, pregnant‑woman health handbook, etc.; Indigenous persons aged 55–64 who wish to be vaccinated in the first phase must also provide a household registration transcript, household register, or other Indigenous identity documents in addition to the NHI card. Contracted sites are asked to arrange the vaccination flow properly, give priority to scheduled individuals, and increase staff as needed according to the on‑site situation to help manage crowds, thereby improving vaccination efficiency and service quality.
If you are not eligible for publicly funded COVID‑19 vaccination but have a self‑pay vaccination need, you can receive the vaccine at any of the seven self‑pay vaccination clinics nationwide; the list can be found under the CDC’s global website > Infectious Diseases and Epidemic Prevention > Infectious Disease Introduction > Category 4 Statutory Infectious Diseases > COVID‑19 Severe Complications > COVID‑19 Vaccines > Self‑Pay COVID‑19 Vaccine Sites.
According to CDC monitoring data, the domestic influenza situation remains stable but still in the epidemic phase. In week 38 (9/20‑9/26), influenza‑related emergency and outpatient visits totaled 138 654, a slight 3.2% decrease from the previous week, mainly due to clinic closures during the long weekend.
In the previous week (9/22‑9/28), there were 87 new severe influenza cases (80 H1N1, 1 H3N2, 6 untyped A) and 30 deaths (all H1N1). Laboratory surveillance shows that the circulating influenza viruses in the community are predominantly type A, with A H1N1 accounting for 87.7%. In the current (114‑115 year) influenza season, there have been a cumulative 1 673 severe cases (1 041 H1N1, 510 H3N2, 32 untyped A, 90 B) and 334 deaths (206 H1N1, 106 H3N2, 10 untyped A, 12 B). Severe cases were mainly among persons aged 65 and over (65.9%) and those with chronic disease histories (83.4%); 67.7% had not received the season’s influenza vaccine.
Regarding COVID‑19, the domestic COVID‑19 situation has declined but remains in the epidemic phase. In week 38 (9/20‑9/26), COVID‑19‑related emergency and outpatient visits numbered 10 502, a 28.4% drop from the previous week (9/13‑9/19). In the previous week (9/22‑9/28), there were 33 new local severe cases and 14 local deaths. Since October 2025, there have been a cumulative 756 local severe COVID‑19 cases, including 147 deaths; severe cases were mainly among those aged 65 and over (73.7%) and those with chronic disease histories (82.9%); 83.6% had not received the season’s COVID‑19 vaccine. In the past four weeks, the dominant local variant strains have been PQ.16.1.1 and NB.1.8.1.
In addition, starting October 1, 2026, residents aged 18 and over who complete vaccination can accumulate “Health Coins.” Receiving the COVID‑19, influenza, and pneumococcal vaccines will earn 900, 450, and 600 Health Coins respectively. The public is encouraged to “take care of health” and “earn coins,” investing in their own well‑being; accumulated Health Coins can be redeemed for health products starting December 1. For information about Health Coins, please visit the official Health Coin website (https://healthtoken.hpa.gov.tw/) for details.https://healthtoken.hpa.gov.tw/) Check.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled: Sensory Management Office
