TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan launched a comprehensive vaccination campaign Tuesday (Sept. 9) as health authorities announced the Oct. 1 rollout of government-funded flu and COVID-19 vaccines ahead of the critical fall and winter seasons. The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 衛生福利部疾病管制署) unveiled the strategic initiative designed to strengthen public health defenses against seasonal respiratory illnesses. The announcement comes as Taiwan prepares for increased disease transmission risks during colder months when people spend more time indoors.
CDC spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui (曾淑慧) explained Taiwan's decision to procure trivalent flu vaccines follows World Health Organization recommendations after the global disappearance of the Yamagata virus strain since March 2020. CDC Director Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞) simultaneously urged residents to utilize remaining government-funded COVID-19 vaccine supplies before the Sept. 30 deadline. The director emphasized that the JN.1 vaccine formulation provides robust protection against currently circulating coronavirus variants, making immediate vaccination crucial for public health.
Taiwan secured flu vaccine supplies through contracts with five major pharmaceutical companies, ensuring diversified sourcing to meet national demand. ADIMMUNE (國光生技) will supply the largest portion at 47.5%, followed by GlaxoSmithKline at 26.3%, TTY Biopharm (台灣東洋) at 11.3%, Sanofi at 9.1%, and Medigen Vaccine Biologics (高端疫苗) at 5.8%. This strategic multi-supplier approach aims to guarantee adequate vaccine availability while reducing supply chain risks for Taiwan's population.
The CDC announced plans to coordinate with Moderna beginning Oct. 1 to provide self-paid COVID-19 vaccines specifically targeting younger demographics. Health authorities procured approximately 2.77 million doses of Moderna's LP.8.1 vaccine formulation to meet anticipated demand. The agency also secured 300,000 doses of the Novavax JN.1 vaccine, creating a combined inventory of 3.07 million doses from both leading manufacturers to ensure comprehensive coverage options.