Taipei, February 27 (CNA), the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) in Taiwan, published its COVID-19 vaccination priority list on Friday as it prepares to launch a national vaccination campaign sometime during March.
CECC spokesman Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) said at a news conference on Saturday that the ten categories on the list contained about 15 million people (30 million doses) – a number equivalent to about 64 percent of Taiwan’s population of 23.56 million.
The categories, arranged in order of eligibility, are as follows:
1. Medical and non-medical staff in hospitals, clinics and government-designated quarantine facilities.
2. Epidemic prevention workers in the central and local government; public health officials; airport staff working in customs, immigration, quarantine and security; mayors and workers delivering meals to people in the house quarantine; paramedics and firefighters; Coast Guard and air rescue personnel.
3. People at higher risk for exposure to COVID-19 due to their occupation: pilots, flight attendants and sailors on international merchant vessels; drivers of epidemic prevention taxis; quarantine hotel staff; and workers at gateways not included in category 2.
4. Foreign diplomatic personnel and their families in Taiwan according to the principle of reciprocity (ie if Taiwanese diplomats in those countries are also eligible to receive vaccinations); athletes representing the country at international competitions.
5. Military and civilian police.
6. Residents and staff in long-term care facilities and workers in correctional facilities.
7. Members of the army.
8. People 65 years and older.
9. People aged 19-64 who suffer from conditions that put them at higher risk for serious diseases through COVID-19; others at risk because they suffer from rare or serious illnesses or injuries.
10. People aged 50-64 years.
The CECC added that it is currently considering other plans related to the provision of vaccines to business people and people traveling abroad to work, study or receive medical treatment.
According to the list, the CECC will consider making self-paid COVID-19 vaccines available if there is extra stock one to two months after the rollout began.