TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, 衛生福利部) reported a remarkable turnout as over 40,000 free flu vaccines were administered on the first day of distribution. The surge in demand came after the tragic death of renowned actress Barbie Hsu (徐熙媛) from flu complications, prompting the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 疾管署) to secure an additional 100,000 doses for high-risk groups.
Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) emphasized that they will monitor vaccination trends in the coming days. He reassured that medical institutions still offer self-paid vaccines for those not qualifying for free shots. Taipei's Department of Health (北市衛生局) reported 3,523 vaccinations by Thursday evening, with 8,637 doses remaining.
New Taipei's Department of Health (新北衛生局) allocated 15,450 flu vaccines across 29 district health centers and 80 contracted institutions. To improve accessibility, they arranged for medical teams to administer flu, COVID-19, and pneumococcal vaccines for seniors at GlobalMall (環球購物中心) in Zhonghe District (中和) on Sunday afternoon.
As flu season peaks, officials urge eligible individuals to take advantage of available vaccines. The increased supply aims to mitigate health risks and protect vulnerable populations, highlighting the importance of vaccination in public health strategy.
