In response to the announcement by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) that, starting October 3, Moderna's next-generation bivalent COVID-19 vaccine will be available to eligible individuals, Tainan has announced the booster shot rollout program. Those eligible include medical personnel, airport/port workers, quarantine-related workers, airline/vessel crew members, workers in care institutions and social welfare system, people aged 50 to 64, as well as those aged 18 and older who need to travel abroad for diplomatic, public affairs, business, or work-related reasons. For eligible persons who want to take this booster shot (third or fourth shot), please reserve online through Tainan’s vaccination appointment system: https://health-reservation.tainan.gov.tw/.
According to the Bureau of Public Health, eligible persons in the second phase can start making vaccine appointments from October 3. A minimum interval of 12 weeks (or 84 days) is recommended between this vaccine and the last dose of a primary series vaccination/additional dose or the previous booster dose. The eligibility for the bivalent vaccine has been expanded to those aged 18 and older who need to travel abroad for diplomatic, public affairs, business, or work-related reason. To verify identity, in addition to bringing the flight ticket to the vaccination site, such an eligible individual must also bring one of the three following documents: the invitation given by the inviting institution, the approval letter issued by the competent authority of the respective business, or proof detailing business travel approved by company.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare ACIP Meeting also pointed out that, starting from September 30, the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine would be available for adolescents 12-17 years of age as a booster dose. If different from the brand of the primary series vaccination, an interval of at least 12 weeks is recommended between the last dose of the primary series vaccination/additional dose and this Novavax vaccination. In addition to serving as a booster, the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine also serves as a two-dose primary series for adolescents aged 12-17 given an interval of at least four weeks apart. For this age group, CECC recommends completing their primary series vaccination with the same brand of vaccine (only use different brands if experiencing serious side effects).