60-year-old Woman with Multiple Chronic Diseases Still Severe After Vaccination; High-Risk COVID-19 Group Begins Second Dose
Taiwan's CDC announced that a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is now available for high-risk groups, including seniors over 65, indigenous people aged 55-64, and immunocompromised individuals over 6 months old. This aims to enhance protection against severe illness. With approximately 1 million vaccine doses in stock, about 750,000 seniors over 65 can receive their second dose by the end of April. Despite low current transmission, severe cases highlight the importance of booster shots for vulnerable populations.
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- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 18:05
- 🔍 Collected: April 7, 2026 at 19:00 (55 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 12:53 (185h 53m after Collected)
Tseng Shu-hui, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Centers for Disease Control (CDC), announced today that to enhance health protection for high-risk groups for severe illness, and referencing international vaccination recommendations and discussions by the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a second dose of the COVID-19 (2019 coronavirus disease) vaccine will be provided starting today for seniors aged 65 and above, indigenous people aged 55 to 64, and patients aged 6 months and above with immunodeficiency or weakened immunity.
Tseng Shu-hui pointed out that there are approximately 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine currently in stock in Taiwan. The interval between two doses must be 180 days. Among seniors aged 65 and above in Taiwan, about 750,000 people can receive their second dose of vaccine by the end of April this year. In addition, vaccination services will continue to be expanded for people aged 6 months and above until the end of April.
Regarding the domestic COVID-19 epidemic, Li Chia-lin, Deputy Director of the CDC's Epidemic Command Center, explained that it is currently fluctuating at a low point. The number of outpatient and emergency visits in the 13th week was 904, an increase of 4.9% from the previous week. Last week, there were 2 new local cases with severe complications and no new local deaths. Since October 2025, a cumulative total of 79 local cases with severe complications have been reported, with 10 deaths.
Regarding the relatively younger severe case, epidemic prevention physician Lin Yung-ching explained that it was a woman in her 60s from central Taiwan who had multiple chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, and required dialysis. Her most recent vaccination was in October last year. In mid-March this year, she sought emergency medical attention due to fever, difficulty breathing, and low blood oxygen. An X-ray showed pneumonia, and she was admitted to a general ward for treatment. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 by PCR.
Lin Yung-ching pointed out that two weeks after admission, due to worsening difficulty breathing, the patient was intubated and transferred to the intensive care unit for treatment. She has been hospitalized for three weeks and is still intubated in the intensive care unit. He reminded that even after vaccination, protection may wane over time, and urged high-risk groups for severe illness to get a second dose to reduce the risk of severe illness and death.
Regarding the domestic diarrhea epidemic, Tseng Shu-hui stated that the number of outpatient and emergency visits last week was about 117,000, a decrease of about 16% compared to 140,000 the previous week. This is presumed to be related to holidays and clinic closures. It is expected that after the holidays, the number of diarrhea and outpatient visits will temporarily increase, and then decrease again after one or two weeks. (Edited by: Li Heng-shan) 1150407
Tseng Shu-hui pointed out that there are approximately 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine currently in stock in Taiwan. The interval between two doses must be 180 days. Among seniors aged 65 and above in Taiwan, about 750,000 people can receive their second dose of vaccine by the end of April this year. In addition, vaccination services will continue to be expanded for people aged 6 months and above until the end of April.
Regarding the domestic COVID-19 epidemic, Li Chia-lin, Deputy Director of the CDC's Epidemic Command Center, explained that it is currently fluctuating at a low point. The number of outpatient and emergency visits in the 13th week was 904, an increase of 4.9% from the previous week. Last week, there were 2 new local cases with severe complications and no new local deaths. Since October 2025, a cumulative total of 79 local cases with severe complications have been reported, with 10 deaths.
Regarding the relatively younger severe case, epidemic prevention physician Lin Yung-ching explained that it was a woman in her 60s from central Taiwan who had multiple chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, and required dialysis. Her most recent vaccination was in October last year. In mid-March this year, she sought emergency medical attention due to fever, difficulty breathing, and low blood oxygen. An X-ray showed pneumonia, and she was admitted to a general ward for treatment. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 by PCR.
Lin Yung-ching pointed out that two weeks after admission, due to worsening difficulty breathing, the patient was intubated and transferred to the intensive care unit for treatment. She has been hospitalized for three weeks and is still intubated in the intensive care unit. He reminded that even after vaccination, protection may wane over time, and urged high-risk groups for severe illness to get a second dose to reduce the risk of severe illness and death.
Regarding the domestic diarrhea epidemic, Tseng Shu-hui stated that the number of outpatient and emergency visits last week was about 117,000, a decrease of about 16% compared to 140,000 the previous week. This is presumed to be related to holidays and clinic closures. It is expected that after the holidays, the number of diarrhea and outpatient visits will temporarily increase, and then decrease again after one or two weeks. (Edited by: Li Heng-shan) 1150407
FAQ
Who is eligible for the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Seniors aged 65 and above, indigenous people aged 55 to 64, and patients aged 6 months and above with immunodeficiency or weakened immunity are eligible.
What is the interval between two doses?
The interval between two doses must be 180 days.