《TAIPEI TIMES》 CDC extends vaccination program for COVID-19

A woman in injected with a COVID-19 vaccine at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei on June 24 last year. Photo: CNA

LOW COVERAGE: Taiwan is facing an epidemic period, officials said, adding that there are about 3,000 Novavax vaccine doses and 440,000 Moderna doses available

By Lee I-chia / Staff reporter Expanded eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines funded by the government has been extended until September, the Centers for Disease Control （CDC） said yesterday, urging people with higher risk of severe illness to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

The expanded eligibility includes people aged six months or older who have not received the latest COVID-19 vaccine.

The centers on Tuesday last week said that weekly hospital visits for COVID-19 had increased by 66.5 percent, reaching the threshold for an epidemic.

It called on people who are not up to date on vaccines to get vaccinated for better protection.

As Taiwan is entering a COVID-19 epidemic period and local severe cases are mostly aged 65 or older, more than 90 percent of whom are unvaccinated, it extended the vaccination program to Sept. 28 after consulting with members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the CDC said.

The vaccines available still provide protection against the latest circulating virus strains, it said.

More than 1.74 million vaccine doses have been administered this COVID-19 season, it said.

Among people aged 65 or older, the first-dose coverage rate is about 21 percent, while second-dose coverage is about 0.56 percent, it said.

There are still about 443,000 doses available — 440,000 Moderna doses and 3,000 Novavax doses, with the latter having an expiration date on Friday — so people who are planning to get vaccinated should do so as soon as possible, the CDC said.

People with higher risk of severe illness from infection who have only received one vaccine dose, should get a booster shot at least 180 days after the first dose for enhanced protection, it said.

CDC Director-General Philip Lo （羅一鈞） told reporters on the sidelines of a health promotion event in Taipei that there are sufficient COVID-19 rapid test kits available, with the latest data showing about 630,000 kits in stock.

People who want to get vaccinated or obtain test kits can use the CDC’s dedicated COVID-19 prevention page on its Web site, convenience stores, chain retailers or pharmacy apps to find vaccination sites near them, Lo said.

Asked about the risks of attending events, Lo said crowded venues increase the risk of virus spreading, so people who have respiratory symptoms should refrain from attending them, while those who plan to attend are advised to wear a mask and practice good hand hygiene.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES