Free vaccination against seasonal flu made more widely available

Taiwan’s annual vaccination campaign against seasonal flu, which began on Oct. 1 last year, will be expanded to include most members of the public from Thursday, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Around 490,000 doses of the flu vaccine will be available, and the CDC urged parents of children aged 6-months and over to get them vaccinated, as well as medical workers and those aged 65 and above.

According to the CDC’s previously published vaccination plan for the current flu season, eligible recipients include all citizens, legal residents, and diplomats in Taiwan.

As of Tuesday, 5.62 million doses had been administered since the rollout of the flu shots started in October, which were first offered to seniors, medical workers, care workers, child minders and kindergarten staff, as well as children under university/college age, pregnant women and people with rare and serious diseases or underlying health conditions, according to the CDC.

People aged between 50-64 become eligible for the government-funded flu shots on Nov. 15.

Considering the ongoing vaccination program against COVID-19, it is advised that people should take the different vaccines at least seven days apart, the CDC said.

The number of cases has been relatively low in the current flu season, and the earlier people receive a flu vaccination, the sooner they can develop better immunity before the number of influenza cases picks up, the CDC said.

People can check where the flu vaccine is available on the CDC’s website, through the CDC Line account, or by calling 1922, it said.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel