Taiwan will expand its COVID-19 vaccination program to include more high-risk groups as the government steps up efforts to develop population immunity while safeguarding public health, the Cabinet-level Central Epidemic Command Center announced April 7.
Effective April 12, more individuals with a higher risk of exposure to coronavirus due to the nature of their work will be eligible for vaccination. These include crew members of airline carriers and commercial vessels, drivers of epidemic prevention taxis, related government personnel and quarantine hotel staffers, the CECC said.
At least 170 vaccination stations will be established around the country by April 16, the CECC said, adding that eligible individuals should schedule an appointment through the designated website.
According to the center, Taiwan received its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines—116,500 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine—in early March, with vaccination beginning March 22 for front-line health workers and staffers at health clinics, pharmacies and government quarantine facilities.
A further shipment of AZ vaccines arrived April 4 in Taiwan, comprising 199,200 of the 1.02 million doses allocated to the country via COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX), a global initiative aimed at ensuring equitable vaccine access, the CECC said.
Latest CECC statistics reveal 1,050 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Taiwan and 10 deaths, with 33 patients still receiving treatment at hospitals countrywide. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw