The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced on April 8 that the second dose of the JN.1 COVID-19 vaccine is now available to eligible groups. Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan, who received his first dose on October 1, 2024, was the first to receive a second dose at noon today. He hopes that his voluntary and early vaccination can further encourage eligible individuals to get vaccinated to protect themselves. Minister Chiu also reminded the public that a minimum interval of six months (180 days) is required between the first and second doses of the JN.1 vaccine. Individuals are advised to calculate the required interval in advance and schedule their appointments accordingly.
Minister Chiu pointed out that although the domestic COVID-19 situation has fluctuated at a low level recently, there continues to be a risk of severe complications and death. More than 96% of domestic COVID-19 cases with complications as well as deaths have occurred among individuals who had not received the JN.1 vaccine. Most of these cases are among people aged 65 and older. International empirical studies have shown that the protection from the first dose of the vaccine begins to wane after three to five months. To better protect high-risk populations who are more likely to experience severe illness or death following COVID-19 infection, Taiwan CDC has decided to offer a second dose of the vaccine to eligible groups. The decision was made after reviewing vaccination recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and consulting with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) at the Ministry of Health and Welfare. These eligible groups including the following:
    Adults aged 65 and older.
    Indigenous individuals aged 55 to 64.
    Individuals aged 6 months and older who are immunocompromised or immunodeficient, including:
           Cancer patients who are currently receiving or have received immunosuppressive therapy within the past 12 months.
           Organ or stem cell transplant recipients.
           Individuals with moderate to severe primary (congenital) immunodeficiencies.
           Individuals undergoing kidney dialysis.
           People living with HIV.
           Individuals currently receiving high-dose immunosuppressive medications.
           Individuals who have received chemotherapy or radiation therapy within the past 6 months.
           Individuals diagnosed by a physician as having immunodeficiency or a compromised immune system.
The aim of offering a second dose to these high-risk groups is to help maintain sufficient immune protection and reduce the risk of severe illness and death.




Taiwan CDC points out that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases. More than 96% of domestic COVID-19 cases with complications as well as deaths have occurred among individuals who had not received the JN.1 vaccine. The JN.1 vaccine provides protection against the JN.1-derived subvariants—including KP.2 and KP.3—and is also effective against other prevalent widely circulating global strains such as XEC and KP.3.1.1. The vaccine can induce neutralizing antibody titers up to 13-fold higher against the two variants. Furthermore, a Canadian study has shown that, during the circulation of the JN.1 and KP lineages, vaccination provided up to 60% effectiveness in preventing severe COVID-19–related hospitalization among older adults aged 65 and above. Therefore, individuals who have not yet been vaccinated are strongly encouraged to receive the vaccine as soon as possible to reduce the risk of severe disease.

Taiwan CDC reported that over 2 million people in Taiwan have received the JN.1 vaccine. Approximately 530,000 individuals aged 65 and older are expected to be eligible for their second dose by the end of this month. Taiwan CDC urges all eligible individuals to receive their second dose. Those who have not yet received any dose of the JN.1 vaccine are also urged to receive vaccination as soon as possible to enhance their protection. Taiwan CDC also reminds the public that the pneumococcal vaccine is available year-round. Elderly people aged 65 and older who have not yet received the pneumococcal vaccine are encouraged to receive both the pneumococcal and JN.1 vaccines in the same appointment. Other individuals eligible for pneumococcal vaccination are also reminded to receive the vaccine as recommended.

For more information on COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccination sites, please visit the dedicated section at http://at.cdc.gov.tw/gB4j1t on the Taiwan CDC website or the websites of local health authorities.