TAIPEI (TVBS News) — With Taiwan witnessing a surge in COVID-19-related deaths, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has urged high-risk groups, especially individuals aged 65 and older and those with chronic illnesses, to get vaccinated promptly to prepare for a potential new wave of infections by mid to late January.
CDC Spokesman Lo Yi-chun emphasized Tuesday (Dec. 5) the urgency for vaccinations due to the current high international COVID-19 positivity rate and fluctuating domestic cases.
Despite a slight decline in complications from 232 new domestic cases over the past week, the country reported 34 new deaths, the highest in nearly five weeks, according to CDC Central Epidemic Command Center Deputy Director Li Chia-lin.
Lo highlighted the effectiveness of the new XBB.1.5-adapted COVID-19 vaccine, which reduces the risk of severe illness and death by 50 percent and 61 percent, respectively, across various subvariants of the virus. Approximately 649,000 doses of the XBB vaccine have been administered nationally, with 43,400 doses given in the last week alone.
Regarding mRNA vaccine safety, Lo clarified that mRNA vaccines are safe and effective, designed to enhance mRNA technology, and have no negative impact on biosystems.
