Taiwan publishes priority list to receive COVID-19 vaccine

Taipei, February 27 (CNA) Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) released its COVID-19 vaccination priority list on Friday, as it prepares to launch a nationwide vaccination campaign in the current of the month of March.

At a press briefing on Saturday, CECC spokesman Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) said the 10 categories on the list included around 15 million people (30 million doses) – a number equal to about 64% of Taiwan’s population of 23.56 million.

The categories, listed in order of eligibility, are as follows:

1. Medical and non-medical personnel in hospitals, clinics and government-designated quarantine facilities.

2. Epidemic prevention officers in central and local government; frontline public health officials; airport staff working in customs, immigration, quarantine and security; village chiefs and workers delivering meals to quarantined people at home; paramedics and firefighters; Coast Guard and Airborne Rescue Personnel.

3. Persons at higher risk of exposure to COVID-19 due to their occupation: pilots, flight attendants and seafarers on international commercial vessels; epidemic prevention taxi drivers; quarantine hotel staff; and workers at points of entry not included in category 2.

4. Foreign diplomatic personnel and their families in Taiwan according to the principle of reciprocity (ie if Taiwanese diplomats from these countries can also be vaccinated); athletes representing the country in international competitions.

5. Military and civilian police.

6. Residents and staff of long-term care facilities and workers of correctional facilities.

7. Members of the armed forces.

8. Persons aged 65 and over.

9. People aged 19 to 64 who suffer from conditions that put them at a higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19; others are at risk because they suffer from rare or serious illnesses or injuries.

10. People aged 50 to 64.

The CECC added that it was in the process of developing further plans for the provision of vaccines to businessmen and people traveling abroad to work, study or receive medical care.

According to the list, the CECC will consider making self-paid COVID-19 vaccines available if there is additional stock one to two months after the start of deployment.