On September 22, 2009, the 27th meeting held by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) was convened by the chief commander of CECC, the Vice Premier of the Executive Yuan, Li-Luan Chu.Besides briefing on the current epidemic situation and the progress on influenza vaccine immunization, a decision concerning the formation of vaccine crisis management task force by epidemic command centers was made, which was forwarded to local epidemic command centers in cities and counties in the nation.

In light of possible occurrences of vaccine crisis, CECC formed a “Vaccine Crisis Management Task Force” and appointed the Deputy Minister of Health, Shan-Chwen Chang, as the Chairperson and the Director of the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, Hsu-Sung Kuo, as the Vice Chairperson of the Task Force. In addition, members constituting the Task Force include Taiwan CDC, the Bureau of Pharmaceutical Affairs, the Bureau of Medical Affairs, the Public Relations Office, et cetera.Although the two vaccine manufacturers providing the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine are not members of the Task Force, representatives from both vaccine manufacturers will be designated as liaisons to remain close contact with the Task Force.Additionally, the Task Force has simulated several unexpected crises and formulated relevant response measures.Some of the possible crises include vaccine-associated side effect or death, vaccine-associated miscarriage or other vaccine-associated adverse effect in pregnant women, suspicion about foreign vaccine safety, vaccine shortage or delay in vaccine delivery by manufacturers.CECC stressed that vaccine safety is guaranteed according to foreign and local vaccine manufacturers.However, to be on the safe side, CECC still simulated a crisis related to vaccine safety in order to ensure proper response has been formulated should such crisis were to occur.

Taiwan has been implementing the annual seasonal influenza vaccination program for over a decade.This year, an additional influenza vaccine has been included in this vaccination program.Besides the routine seasonal influenza vaccine, the new vaccine included in the program is the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine.Vaccination of either vaccine is voluntary.

Vaccination of seasonal influenza vaccine begins on October 1, 2009.Targeted groups include children aged 6 moths through 6 years, elementary school students from grade 1 through 4, elderly people aged 65 and above, and people with major illness/injury.All target groups can receive the vaccine at over 3500 contracted hospitals in the nation upon presentation of their ID card and National Health Insurance card.For more information, please visit the CECC website or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922.

Vaccination of the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine is scheduled to begin in November, 2009. The pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine priority list consisting of twelve categories in pecking order has been confirmed.The targeted groups will be notified to receive vaccination according to the priority list. Further details concerning vaccination and the contracted hospitals will be announced on October 20, 2009.