A member of the general public is inoculated with a vaccine on Monday. CNA photo Nov. 2, 2026
Taipei, Nov. 2 (CNA) The second phase of Taiwan's publicly funded influenza and COVID-19 vaccination program began Monday, with healthy people aged 50-64 now eligible to receive the shots.
Deputy Health Minister Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) rolled up his sleeve and received both shots at a vaccination station in Taipei's Nangang District, where the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) held a news conference to mark the launch of the program's second phase.
Chuang said flu and COVID-19 vaccinations can not only prevent infections but also reduce the risk of severe illness and complications, including those affecting the heart and lungs. He urged healthy adults aged 50 and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Speaking to reporters after the press event, CDC spokesperson Lin Min-cheng (林明誠) said flu activity in Taiwan is expected to fall below the 11 percent epidemic threshold this week.
Under the CDC's monitoring criteria, the outbreak must remain below the threshold for two consecutive weeks before it can be declared over, meaning the announcement could come as early as next week.
However, Lin warned that the risk of severe illness and death remains even after the outbreak subsides. More than 99 percent of severe cases and deaths have involved people who had not received this season's flu vaccine or a COVID-19 vaccine, he said.
Both Chuang and Lin urged seniors, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses and healthy adults aged 50 and older, to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 as soon as possible to protect themselves and reduce the risk of severe illness and complications.
The first phase of the vaccination program began on Oct. 1 but was limited to medical professionals; people aged 65 and older; Indigenous people aged 55 and older; people living in long-term care facilities and their staff; children aged 6 months through preschool age; pregnant women; and people with preexisting conditions, including chronic illnesses.
CDC data showed that a total of 5.85 million doses of flu and COVID-19 vaccines were administered in October.
Updated COVID-19 vaccine
Meanwhile, CDC Director-General Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞) said at a separate news conference in New Taipei on Monday that the latest COVID-19 vaccine has fewer side effects than previous versions.
This updated vaccine uses one-fifth of the previous dose and causes fewer side effects, with localized redness and pain also significantly reduced, Lo said, encouraging members of the public to get vaccinated without concern.
Although people aged 50-64 are generally perceived as having fewer chronic illnesses and health risks, Lo said, statistics show that this age group ranks second in terms of severe cases of both flu and COVID-19.
Lo added that although the second phase expands eligibility to healthy adults aged 50-64, other high-risk groups, including people with chronic illnesses, seniors aged 65 and older, and children, remain eligible for vaccination.
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