Vaccination is globally recognized as the most cost-effective measure for preventing infectious diseases. To allow more people to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases, the World Health Organization designates the last week of April each year (2026: April 24–30) as “World Immunization Week.” This year’s (115) theme is “Vaccines protect every generation (For every generation, vaccines work),” aiming to promote that vaccines safely protect people, families, and communities of every generation, and will continue to safeguard our future. The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter CDC) states that the government currently provides the public with a total of 14 vaccines, preventing 18 infectious diseases, covering nine routine childhood vaccines as well as influenza vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, adult pneumococcal vaccine, MMR vaccine, and human papillomavirus vaccine, comprehensively protecting the health needs of all age groups.
The CDC explains that as of April 26 this year, about 1.694 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, and starting April 7, an additional dose was offered to three high‑risk groups: seniors aged 65 and over, indigenous people aged 55–64, and immunocompromised patients. The vaccination rate for seniors 65+ is 20.9% for the first dose and 0.12% for the second dose. Because the COVID‑19 epidemic trend has been highly variable, to guard against a possible summer surge, the expanded vaccination measure for individuals aged 6 months and older who have not yet been vaccinated, which began on January 1 of this year, will be extended to July 31. The public is urged that those aged 6 months and older who have not yet received this season’s COVID‑19 vaccine should get vaccinated as soon as possible.
The CDC notes that the total number of influenza vaccine doses administered in the 114th year reached about 6.782 million as of April 26 this year, a historic high. Among the four key target groups, preschool children have received at least one dose, with a coverage rate of 69.6%, exceeding the expected target of 65%. The vaccination rates for seniors aged 65+ and for student groups both increased by 3.3% compared with the previous year. The public‑funded influenza vaccine procurement for the 115th year’s autumn‑winter season will exceed 7 million doses for the first time, projected to raise the national vaccine coverage to over 30%. Moreover, studies show that enhanced‑immunity influenza vaccines can effectively boost antibody responses in the elderly and significantly reduce the risk of influenza‑related pneumonia and severe hospitalization. Therefore, about 200 000 doses of the enhanced‑immunity influenza vaccine were introduced this year, prioritized for seniors aged 65+ in long‑term care and nursing facilities, to improve immune protection for the older population.
The CDC states that the adult pneumococcal vaccine conversion policy was implemented on January 15 of this year, offering the 20‑valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (PCV20) to seniors aged 65 and over (inclusive), indigenous people aged 55–64, and high‑risk individuals aged 19–64 with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). A single dose provides full immune protection. From the start of the policy until April 26 this year, a total of 93 000 PCV20 doses have been administered to seniors 65+, raising the completion rate from 32% to 34%, with an expected 40% by year‑end. Eligible individuals are encouraged to get vaccinated; indigenous people aged 55–64 and high‑risk IPD individuals aged 19–64 should bring appropriate identification and medical records when receiving the vaccine.
Moreover, to protect the health and safety of domestic infants and young children, the CDC has actively advocated and obtained approval from the Executive Yuan to include the rotavirus vaccine for infants in the public‑funded immunization program, scheduled to be implemented starting in the 116th year. In addition, to encourage contract medical institutions to continue providing convenient and high‑quality vaccination services, subsidies for vaccination administration fees at contract medical institutions were increased on March 1 of this year, from the original NT$100 per dose to NT$200 per dose for children under 6 and NT$150 per dose for the general public.
The CDC urges that, to obtain complete immune protection as early as possible, eligible individuals should promptly arrange vaccination, whether adult or child. Vaccine‑related information can be viewed on the CDC’s global website (https://www.cdc.gov.tw) “Vaccination Section” for browsing, information on contract medical institutions and related vaccination details can be consulted via local health bureau websites.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled: Infection Control Office
