TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Centers for Disease Control held a press conference on Friday, announcing changes to the nation's COVID vaccination strategy this fall and winter.
The CDC said the LP.8.1 variant is becoming more prevalent, with the proportion increasing in Taiwan. The CDC will purchase 2.77 million doses of the Moderna LP.8.1 vaccine, per the CDC.
Distribution of the LP.8.1 vaccine will start in October. Free mass vaccination will be available to 10 high-risk groups, but no longer for the general public.
1. Elderly persons aged 65 years and above
2. Indigenous people aged 55-64
3. Residents and staff of nursing homes and long-term care institutions
4. Pregnant women
5. High-risk groups (chronic illness, BMI ≥ 30, rare disease, major injuries, tuberculosis, disability, mental illness, or dementia)
6. Medical care workers and epidemic prevention personnel
7. Childcare workers, professional staff of childcare institutions, and home-based childcare workers
8. Parents of infants under six months old
9. Children aged six months or above but under six years old
10. Adults aged 50-64 who are not in other high-risk categories
The CDC said it will administer the vaccine simultaneously with the influenza vaccine. The vaccination schedule will be divided into two phases, with the first nine categories beginning on Oct. 1, and adults aged 50-64 who are not in high-risk categories starting on Nov. 1.
The CDC reminds the public that the Moderna JN.1 vaccine currently in use will continue to be free to everyone until the vaccine expires on Sept. 30.
