TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan will offer seven million free flu shots this fall and winter as part of its annual vaccination campaign, the Centers for Disease Control said at a regularly scheduled press conference on Tuesday.

The CDC said it will procure trivalent influenza vaccines, which protect against three strains of the virus (two A strains and one B strain), providing coverage for about 30% of the population. 

Taiwan distributed 6.865 million flu vaccine doses in 2025. The expanded program comes as Taiwan enters a super-aged society and faces concerns over overcrowding in emergency rooms, per a press release.

The procurement, with an estimated budget of NT$1.78 billion (US$55.52 million), is expected to be finalized in late April. For the first time, Taiwan will purchase 200,000 high-dose vaccines targeting elderly individuals with weaker immune responses. 

Seniors aged 65 and above in residential care facilities will be given priority for the high-dose vaccines, with the remaining doses used as needed. The CDC said the decision to introduce high-dose vaccines for the elderly was made following an advisory meeting and a comprehensive evaluation of overall cost-effectiveness. 

Taiwan’s annual publicly funded flu vaccination campaign typically begins in October. Eligibility is initially limited to seniors, young children, and other high-risk groups before gradually expanding to the general public.

Note: While the publicly funded flu vaccine itself is free, a registration fee may be required at hospitals and clinics.