TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei City Department of Health said Wednesday that publicly funded flu and COVID vaccines are now available to the public.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said at a press conference that people should get a flu vaccine in the left arm and a COVID vaccine in the right arm for "double protection." This year's flu vaccine protects against four virus strains, while the COVID vaccine targets the JN.1 variant.
The first of the publicly funded vaccines will be open to 11 categories of citizens, including those aged 65 and over. The second phase starts Nov. 1 and targets those aged 50 to 64.
Taipei City Department of Health said 350 medical institutions have been contracted to provide vaccination services. Additionally, Taipei City's 12 District Health Centers will offer extended vaccination services on Saturday mornings throughout October and November, providing flu, COVID, and pneumococcal vaccinations.
Autumn and winter are peak seasons for flu and COVID. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, in Taipei City, from October 2023 to September 2024, there were 210 COVID deaths and 160 severe flu cases resulting in 41 deaths, 80% of whom had not received the seasonal influenza vaccine.
Health officials urge the elderly and high-risk groups to complete both influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations as soon as possible. Furthermore, Taipei City health department said healthcare workers will also get vaccinated, protecting them from infection as well as reducing the risk of transmission to patients.
Pregnant women are also encouraged to receive both vaccines. In addition to protecting their own health, the vaccine produces antibodies that can be transferred across the placenta to the fetus.
The public is reminded to bring their health insurance card when receiving vaccinations. Flu, COVID-19 JN.1, and pneumococcal vaccines can be administered simultaneously. Injection sites should be at least 2.5 cm apart if on the same arm. For more information, please visit the Taipei City Department of Health website.
