TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Centers for Disease Control announced the second phase of publicly funded flu and COVID-19 vaccinations will begin on Nov. 1, expanding eligibility to adults aged 50–64.
In addition to vaccinations at hospitals and clinics, PX Mart (120 branches) and Carrefour (32 branches) will provide convenient vaccination stations across Taiwan on selected dates. Participants receiving vaccines at these sites will also receive special health gifts from the retailers.
According to CDC data, Taiwan recorded 110,442 outpatient and emergency visits for influenza between Oct. 19–25, a 15.6% decrease from the previous week. Despite the decline, the CDC reported 38 new severe flu cases: 13 caused by H1N1, 24 by H3N2, and one unclassified subtype A, as well as 13 related deaths.
The CDC said influenza remains at an epidemic level, with subtype A(H3N2) dominant, followed by A(H1N1) and B.
COVID-19 cases also continued to trend downward, with 1,348 outpatient and emergency visits reported last week, a 26% drop compared to the previous week. The NB.1.8.1 variant remains the dominant strain domestically.
Globally, COVID cases have risen recently, particularly in Europe and Africa, where the XFG and NB.1.8.1 variants are most prevalent. Nearby regions, including Japan, South Korea, China, and Hong Kong, continue to report a high proportion of NB.1.8.1 infections.
As of Oct. 27, a total of 3.97 million flu shots and 891,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses had been administered under the public program, approximately 1.2 to 1.3 times higher than during the same period last year.
The CDC reminded the public that it takes about two weeks after vaccination to build sufficient protection. People are encouraged to get vaccinated early at one of the 4,400 contracted facilities nationwide to reduce the risk of infection and severe illness.
Vaccination site information is available on the CDC’s vaccine map website or by calling the 1922 epidemic prevention hotline. The CDC also advised citizens to make appointments in advance to avoid long waits.
Publicly funded vaccines are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Given fluctuating temperatures, the CDC urged the public to maintain good hand hygiene and wear masks if experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever or cough.
