TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei's Department of Health (台北市衛生局) announced Monday (Feb. 17) that 12,000 government-funded flu vaccine doses will become available at Taipei City Hospital (臺北市立聯合醫院) starting Thursday.
This initiative aims to curb the spread of the flu and protect high-risk individuals. Vaccines will be distributed across the hospital's districts and 12 outpatient clinics.
The health department revealed that the central government allocated approximately 11,000 additional flu vaccine doses, supplemented by 1,000 adjuvanted vaccines donated by TTY Biopharm Company (台灣東洋藥品工業公司). These adjuvanted vaccines, designed to generate higher antibody responses and extend protection, will be available exclusively for seniors 65 and older at outpatient clinics.
Officials encourage eligible residents to book appointments on the hospital's website or register on-site. The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 疾病管制署) identified 11 high-risk groups, including seniors over 65, Indigenous people over 55, residents in care facilities, individuals with a BMI over 30, and those with high-risk chronic conditions.
Due to recent spikes in flu cases, the CDC purchased an additional 105,000 vaccine doses, which have been distributed to various counties and cities.
The health department emphasized that severe flu cases predominantly affect those over 50, with 90% of severe cases involving unvaccinated individuals this season. Officials urge those in the high-risk categories to receive their vaccinations promptly to mitigate the risk of severe illness.
