Phase 2 of the publicly funded flu and COVID-19 vaccination program officially began on November 2, 2026. To improve access to vaccination services, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) has continued its partnership with PROSPERiTY PLAZA and Uni-PROSPERiTY, a hypermarket chain and a supermarket chain,respectively, both operated by Uni-Prosperity Lifestyle Corp., to offer convenient vaccination services at their stores. Taiwan CDC also held a press conference that day to mark the launch of phase 2 under the theme "Get Flu and COVID-19 Shots to Keep Heart and Lung Complications at Bay." The event was attended by Taiwan CDC Director-General Yi-chun Lo; New Taipei City Department of Health Commissioner Ran-chou Chen; Dr. Chun-hsing Liao, Director of the Department of Internal Medicine at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital; Steve Hsu, Head of Asset Development and Public Relations at PROSPERiTY PLAZA; and entertainer Kenny Liang. A medical team from Far Eastern Memorial Hospital was also invited to provide on-site health assessments and vaccination services. Director-General Lo, Mr. Hsu, and Mr. Liang received their vaccinations at the event, setting an example and encouraging eligible individuals to get vaccinated early. Director-General Lo noted that both influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2 continue to evolve, and that this year's publicly funded flu and COVID-19 vaccines have been updated with the latest vaccine strains based on current circulation patterns to provide better protection. The new-generation COVID-19 vaccine also offers improved effectiveness with fewer side effects. This year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has introduced a Health Token initiative, allowing adults aged 18 and older to earn 450 Health Tokens for receiving a flu vaccine and 900 for receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Those who receive both vaccines can earn a total of 1,350 Health Tokens, benefiting from both added protection and rewards. Steve Hsu, Head of Asset Development and Public Relations at PROSPERiTY PLAZA, said that this marks the second consecutive year of collaboration between Uni-Prosperity Lifestyle Corp. and Taiwan CDC. Building on last year's partnership, the company has expanded the number of vaccination stations across its hypermarket and supermarket networks, making vaccination more accessible as part of everyday life. Additional health-related gifts are also being offered at vaccination stations to encourage participation, allowing customers to shop and protect their health in one convenient stop. The event also featured disease prevention ambassador Kenny Liang, known for his money-saving tips. Seeing the vaccination station set up inside PROSPERiTY PLAZA, Liang joked, “What a smart idea! You can get vaccinated while shopping and save yourself an extra trip to a health center, plus the time and money you’d spend getting there. Now that’s what I call smart planning!” Liang reminded the public that everyday activities such as commuting, shopping, and dining out involve frequent contact with others, making it important to stay protected. “You can save money in many areas of life, but health should never be one of them,” he said. “Don't wait until you get sick to start thinking about your health. Taking preventive steps in your daily life gives you and your family an extra layer of protection and helps you avoid greater costs down the road.” Referring to this year's Health Token incentive program, Liang joked, “You’re not just getting vaccinated. You’re getting health protection and rewards in one go!” He encouraged the public to take advantage of the convenient vaccination services available while shopping or running errands, making it easy to get things done, protect their health, and earn rewards in a single trip. Taiwan CDC encourages all eligible individuals to receive both flu and COVID-19 vaccines during the same visit, based on the assessment and recommendations of on-site healthcare professionals, to ensure more comprehensive protection. Taiwan CDC also thanked PROSPERiTY PLAZA and Uni-PROSPERiTY for their continued support in making vaccination more accessible by providing venues and resources, demonstrating a shared commitment to protecting public health. As viruses continue to evolve, Taiwan CDC recommends annual vaccination and urges all eligible individuals to get vaccinated early to protect themselves and their families. Taiwan CDC also reminds the public that respiratory infections are more common during autumn and winter, making it important to maintain good personal hygiene practices in addition to getting vaccinated. These include frequent handwashing and wearing masks in crowded or poorly ventilated public spaces. Approximately 4,000 healthcare facilities nationwide are providing flu and COVID-19 vaccination services this year. To find nearby vaccination sites, the public can obtain information through local health department websites, Taiwan CDC’s official website or official LINE account “疾管家”(@taiwancdc), or call the 1922 Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline. Calling ahead to confirm availability or make an appointment is recommended to minimize waiting time.