Families with children under the age of 1 are urged to pay attention to the following. The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced that beginning January 1, 2015, PCV13 (Pneumococcal Conjugate) vaccine would be included in the routine childhood immunization program. The implementation of this new policy will benefit approximately over 0.48 million children and save parents about NT$10,000 on immunization. In addition, it is hoped that herd immunity against pneumococcal bacteria can be established through achieving high vaccination coverage for PCV 13 among children, protecting even seniors in the community from the threat of pneumococcal diseases.

Pneumococcal bacteria can cause invasive pneumococcal diseases, including pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. According to surveillance data collected by Taiwan CDC, children below the age of five and elderly over the age of 65 are particularly susceptible to invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD).   Children aged between 2 and 5 are at higher risk for acquiring IPD, followed by children aged between 1 and 2. In addition, most confirmed cases of IPD were infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae type 19A (62% in 2012, 53% in 2013, and 55% in 2014). The Ministry of Health and Welfare's (MOHW) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended in 2013 the target individuals for government-funded PCV 13 immunization to include children who reached the age of 2 and were born between 2008 and 2011, and recommended in 2014 to include PCV 13 vaccine in routine childhood immunization program for children aged between 1 and 2 beginning January 2015.

According to international studies, with high vaccination coverage, the overall efficacy of a 3-dose PCV schedule is similar to that of a 4-dose PCV schedule. The 3-dose PCV schedule is given as a 2-dose primary series followed by a booster (2+1): the 1st dose is given at 2 months of age, the 2nd at 4 months, and the 3rd at 12-15 months. Currently, developed countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden and Singapore have all adopted the 3-dose PCV schedule. After careful consideration, Taiwan’s ACIP decided to adopt the 3-dose PCV (2+1) schedule for the routine childhood immunization program. Children who were born between 2010 and 2014 and have never received the PCV 13 vaccine or have not completed the series can still receive the missed dose of the government-funded vaccine if eligible. On the other hand, after the PCV 13 vaccine is included in the routine childhood immunization program in 2015, the 3-dose PCV (2+1) series is funded by the government. Individuals wishing to receive another booster dose can consult the physician to determine the need for a self-paid booster dose.

Taiwan CDC urges parents with children aged two months and above to bring their children together with the Children’s Health Handbook and the National Health Insurance (NHI) IC Card to local health bureaus or contracted hospitals and clinics for PCV 13 immunization beginning January 1, 2015. This vaccine can be given at the same time as other childhood immunizations. Some of the possible reactions after immunization may include mild swelling, redness and soreness where the vaccine was given, but the discomfort usually disappears within two days. Rarely, people may experience serious side effects such as fever and fatigue. If a child experiences persistent fever or specific adverse effects, please assist the child in seeking immediate medical attention. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922, or 0800-001922.