To speed up the vaccination drive, Central Epidemic Control Center (CECC) spokesperson Chuang Jen-hsiang said that authorities may open self-pay vaccination for those with urgent need to travel abroad before the end of April at the soonest, with between 5,000 to 10,000 doses to be made available. More details are expected to be released in the week beginning April 12, spokesperson Chuang said.

To date, Taiwan has taken delivery of two shipments of COVID-19 vaccines, which are set to expire on May 31 and June 15. However, according to the CECC’s tally, only around 20,000 health workers have been vaccinated thus far.

To speed up the vaccination drive, the CECC announced that beginning April 12, vaccination eligibility has been expanded to include wider groups in addition to frontline health workers, airline workers and drivers engaged in providing taxi services for people undergoing quarantine.

CECC spokesperson Chuang said that authorities will be monitoring the pace of vaccination after April 12 to decide whether to further expand vaccination to diplomats and those who are required to travel abroad on official business. In addition, authorities are also mulling to open self-pay vaccination to people who have an urgent need to travel abroad, with details expected to be finalized and announced in the following week.

As for whether the need to travel abroad should be used as a standard determining self-pay vaccination, CECC spokesperson Chuang said that the matter require further discussion, adding that 5,000 to 10,000 doses will be rolled out for self-pay vaccination before the end of April.

[2021-4-8/CNA]