GOVERNMENT-FUNDED VACCINES: The coverage rates for at-risk elderly and pre-elementary school children have almost reached the CECC’s targets

Taipei Times
Date: Nov 19, 2020
By: Lee I-chia / Staff reporter

Starting on Dec. 1, people aged between 50 and 64 without underlying conditions can get a government-funded influenza vaccination, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said yesterday.

Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中), who heads the center, said the decision was made to make more free shots available because the coverage rates for people 65 years or above and pre-elementary-school children — those older than six months — have almost reached their targets.

Due to the rush to get the free shots when the program was launched on Oct. 5, the Centers for Disease Control on Oct. 16 announced to temporary halt to the eligibility of people aged between 50 and 64 who have no chronic diseases for the vaccinations.

Suspending the eligibility of this age group was aimed at giving priority to the groups with a higher infection risk — the elderly and pre-elementary school children — and to achieve a more effective herd immunity, Chen said on Oct. 16.    [FULL  STORY]