TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan has recorded 125 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in 2025, marking a six-year high since 2020, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 疾管署) announced on Tuesday (April 29). The outbreak has claimed 14 lives, with over 90% of the deceased not completing the two-dose pneumococcal vaccination.
Officials urge eligible individuals to get vaccinated promptly. IPD can lead to severe conditions such as pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis, particularly affecting infants and seniors over 65. The mortality rate ranges from 5% to 8%. Taiwan has included seniors over 65 and high-risk groups aged 19 to 64 in its public-funded pneumococcal vaccination program since October 2023.
Eligible individuals receive one dose each of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (13-valent) (PCV13) and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23). Completing both doses provides full immunity, reducing the risk of severe illness by 75%. The CDC highlights that high-risk groups aged 19 to 64, including those with immune deficiencies or undergoing immunosuppressive treatments, qualify for vaccination with proper documentation.
High-risk individuals began receiving the PCV13 on March 10 and should follow up with the PPV23 starting May 5. As of April 28, seniors have received approximately 1.757 million doses of the PCV13 and 233,000 doses of the PPV23, with a completion rate of 24.9%. An estimated 2.15 million seniors remain unvaccinated.
The CDC emphasizes that pneumococcal vaccination significantly lowers the risk of severe complications, offering 75% protection against moderate to severe disease. Currently, Taiwan holds approximately 445,000 doses of the PCV13 and 137,000 doses of the PPV23. Residents can find vaccination information on local health bureau websites.
