The second phase of publicly funded flu and COVID-19 vaccination program began on November 1. To make vaccination more accessible and convenient, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) has partnered with Carrefour this year to set up vaccination stations at 33 Carrefour stores across Taiwan (https://reurl.cc/AbgDkZ) to provide diverse vaccination services. Taiwan CDC also held a press conference on November 8 to promote the vaccination program, attended by Taiwan CDC Director-General Yi-chun Lo, Taoyuan City Deputy Mayor Ming-jiuh Wang, Carrefour Taiwan Northern Regional Director Huai-sheng Wang, and celebrities Ms. Tsai-hua Wang and Mr. Nic Chiang. At the event, Director Wang, Ms. Wang, and Mr. Chiang received their vaccinations on site to encourage eligible citizens to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Taiwan CDC Director-General Yi-Chun Lo expressed appreciation for Carrefour Taiwan’s participation in the government’s epidemic prevention efforts and its support for the flu and COVID-19 vaccination program. He emphasized that this collaboration reflects the strong partnership between the government and the private sector in safeguarding public health. Director-General Lo also called on more businesses to take part in future epidemic prevention initiatives. He noted that vaccination uptake this year has been encouraging, thanks to the active promotion by local governments, the dedication of frontline healthcare workers, and the public's heightened health awareness. Director-General Lo reminded the public that autumn and winter are peak seasons for flu and COVID-19, and that another wave may occur in mid-to-late December. As viruses continue to mutate and vaccine protection wanes over time, he urged all eligible individuals to receive the latest vaccines as early as possible to better protect themselves and their families.

Taoyuan City Deputy Mayor Ming-jiuh Wang stated that, in alignment with central government policy, Taoyuan City encourages elderly residents to receive the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time for dual protection. In addition to vaccination stations at Carrefour stores, the Taoyuan City Government has set up vaccination sites in all 516 villages, as well as large-scale weekend vaccination sites, to make it more convenient for citizens to get vaccinated. Currently, the utilization rate of public vaccines in Taoyuan City has reached around 80%, and citizens are urged to take advantage of the available resources to complete their vaccinations as soon as possible.

Carrefour Taiwan Northern Regional Director Huai-sheng Wang highlighted that Carrefour Taiwan’s extensive store network and high foot traffic have made it an integral part of daily life for many Taiwanese families. In line with its commitment to social responsibility and support for government health initiatives, Carrefour Taiwan has proactively collaborated with Taiwan CDC this year to establish vaccination stations. Additionally, Carrefour is offering free shopping bags and fresh fruit to customers who get vaccinated at its stores, with the hope of encouraging more people to receive their vaccines and contribute to epidemic prevention efforts.

In attendance at the event were celebrities Ms. Tsai-hua Wang and Mr. Nic Chiang, who are both eligible for the second phase vaccination program. Ms. Wang emphasized that "health is wealth," adding that staying healthy allows her to take better care of her family. She said that as her work involves frequent interaction with the public, she and her family get vaccinated every October, sometimes even paying out of pocket when not eligible for  publicly funded doses, and she urged everyone to prioritize their health. Mr. Chiang stated that while he paid less attention to vaccination in the past, he has become more aware of the importance of getting vaccinated since the pandemic. He recalled once catching the flu due to negligence, which affected his health and work, and urged his fans and the public to get vaccinated early to strengthen protection.

Taiwan CDC reminds the public that, in addition to vaccination, it is essential to maintain good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and wearing masks, to reduce the risk of infection. This year, around 4,400 contracted healthcare facilities across Taiwan are providing publicly funded vaccination services. Citizens can access vaccination information through local health department websites, Taiwan CDC’s official website and official LINE account “疾管家” (＠taiwancdc), or by calling the Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline at 1922. Taiwan CDC also recommends calling ahead or making an appointment in advance to minimize waiting times.