The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced that it would expand the target population for the government-funded influenza vaccine. Starting from December 1, 2016, anyone aged 6 months  and above is eligible to receive the influenza vaccine for free. Since the launch of this year’s government-funded influenza vaccination program, over 5.34 million doses of the allotted 6 million doses of influenza vaccines have been administered.  In other words, over 89% of the allotted vaccines have been used. Hence, Taiwan CDC urged those who had not receive the influenza shot to be vaccinated for their own benefits.  

On December 2, 2016, Taiwan CDC launched a vaccination campaign in the Taipei Nanmen Market. Local comedian Hsu Hsiao-shun (許效舜) was invited to attend and share important advices concerning influenza vaccination for high risk groups with the audience through games. In order to encourage the general public to receive their influenza vaccine, Hsu was vaccinated in public and stressed that vaccination is the best way to protect individuals and their loved ones against influenza infection. The Taipei City Department of Health also set up a vaccination kiosk outside of Nanmen Market with 300 doses of influenza vaccine available.  Anyone eligible for vaccination could receive the vaccine after examination by the doctors on-site.

Taiwan CDC Deputy Director-General Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) pointed out that the influenza virus is highly contagious.  People need to receive influenza vaccine in order to effectively reduce their risks of infection.  In addition, the vaccine may take 2 to 4 weeks to come into effect.  Hence, the public is urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Taiwan CDC stated that citizens may check on the availability of the vaccine on the “Government-Funded Influenza Vaccination and Antiviral Dispensing Contracted Hospital System” (https://antiflu.cdc.gov.tw/). The system provides information on the nearest contracted hospitals.  Registration fees for vaccination will be waived for those who are already registered for other appointments. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922)