Medical Groups Release Adult Vaccination Handbook Providing Recommendations for Different Age Groups
To address low adult vaccination rates in Taiwan, the Taiwan Vaccine Promotion Association released the first "Adult Vaccination Handbook" offering systemic advice. Doctors clarified misconceptions, noting that elderly people actually experience fewer vaccine side effects due to weaker immune systems.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 17:11
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 17:32 (20 min after Published)
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Central News Agency
(CNA, Taipei, 23rd) The Taiwan Vaccine Promotion Association released the "Adult Vaccination Handbook" today, providing vaccination recommendations for different age groups and health risk groups. Doctor Li Ping-ing also dispelled common misconceptions about vaccines, pointing out that older people actually experience fewer side effects from vaccinations.
Echoing the World Health Organization's (WHO) World Immunization Week initiative "For every generation, vaccines work," the Taiwan Vaccine Promotion Association held a press conference today to launch the first-ever "Adult Vaccination Handbook." It provides systematized and easy-to-understand vaccination advice for different age groups and health risk groups.
Tseng Shu-hui, Deputy Director-General of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, delivered a speech at the event, stating that the Ministry has introduced about 14 types of vaccines over the years, which can reduce the chances of severe symptoms from 18 diseases. Nine of these are routine childhood vaccines, while others like the influenza vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, and pneumococcal vaccine are for adults, aiming to protect high-risk groups.
However, statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare show that as of May 2025, the national vaccination rate for the latest JN.1 COVID-19 vaccine in Taiwan is only about 8.75%, and the vaccination rate for seniors over 65 is also only about 18.2%. In contrast, the vaccination rates for seniors over 65 in the US and the UK reach 44% and 59%, respectively. Furthermore, Taiwan's influenza vaccination rate for seniors is about 50%, still below recommended international standards.
As Taiwan enters a super-aged society, Li Ping-ing, Chairman of the Taiwan Vaccine Promotion Association, pointed out that Taiwan has maintained a high coverage rate in childhood vaccine policies for years, setting an international example. However, there is a significant gap in adult vaccination rates and awareness. Extending the focus "from children to adults" has become the most critical step today.
People often say, "Wait until the elderly person's health is better before getting vaccinated," worrying that the vaccine might cause adverse reactions like myocardial infarction. However, Li Ping-ing pointed out that this is a common misunderstanding. The older you get, the weaker your immune system becomes, so side effects like pain and redness after vaccination actually decrease.
Cheng Shao-yi, Director of the Department of Family Medicine at National Taiwan University Hospital, pointed out that as age increases, the human body's immune function gradually declines, significantly increasing the risk of developing severe illness after infection. However, most adults still hold the concept of "no need for vaccines if not sick," ignoring the importance of preventive medicine.
Besides neglecting prevention, misinformation is also a major influence. Cheng Shao-yi shared that even though her parents have three children who are all doctors, they still often listen to "street talk" and believe certain vaccines shouldn't be taken. Therefore, unlike children who have a "yellow card" health record, adults have many opinions, requiring more effort to promote vaccination.
To advocate the importance of vaccination, the WHO has designated the last week of April every year (April 24 to 30) as "World Immunization Week" since 2010. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150423
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(CNA, Taipei, 23rd) The Taiwan Vaccine Promotion Association released the "Adult Vaccination Handbook" today, providing vaccination recommendations for different age groups and health risk groups. Doctor Li Ping-ing also dispelled common misconceptions about vaccines, pointing out that older people actually experience fewer side effects from vaccinations.
Echoing the World Health Organization's (WHO) World Immunization Week initiative "For every generation, vaccines work," the Taiwan Vaccine Promotion Association held a press conference today to launch the first-ever "Adult Vaccination Handbook." It provides systematized and easy-to-understand vaccination advice for different age groups and health risk groups.
Tseng Shu-hui, Deputy Director-General of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, delivered a speech at the event, stating that the Ministry has introduced about 14 types of vaccines over the years, which can reduce the chances of severe symptoms from 18 diseases. Nine of these are routine childhood vaccines, while others like the influenza vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, and pneumococcal vaccine are for adults, aiming to protect high-risk groups.
However, statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare show that as of May 2025, the national vaccination rate for the latest JN.1 COVID-19 vaccine in Taiwan is only about 8.75%, and the vaccination rate for seniors over 65 is also only about 18.2%. In contrast, the vaccination rates for seniors over 65 in the US and the UK reach 44% and 59%, respectively. Furthermore, Taiwan's influenza vaccination rate for seniors is about 50%, still below recommended international standards.
As Taiwan enters a super-aged society, Li Ping-ing, Chairman of the Taiwan Vaccine Promotion Association, pointed out that Taiwan has maintained a high coverage rate in childhood vaccine policies for years, setting an international example. However, there is a significant gap in adult vaccination rates and awareness. Extending the focus "from children to adults" has become the most critical step today.
People often say, "Wait until the elderly person's health is better before getting vaccinated," worrying that the vaccine might cause adverse reactions like myocardial infarction. However, Li Ping-ing pointed out that this is a common misunderstanding. The older you get, the weaker your immune system becomes, so side effects like pain and redness after vaccination actually decrease.
Cheng Shao-yi, Director of the Department of Family Medicine at National Taiwan University Hospital, pointed out that as age increases, the human body's immune function gradually declines, significantly increasing the risk of developing severe illness after infection. However, most adults still hold the concept of "no need for vaccines if not sick," ignoring the importance of preventive medicine.
Besides neglecting prevention, misinformation is also a major influence. Cheng Shao-yi shared that even though her parents have three children who are all doctors, they still often listen to "street talk" and believe certain vaccines shouldn't be taken. Therefore, unlike children who have a "yellow card" health record, adults have many opinions, requiring more effort to promote vaccination.
To advocate the importance of vaccination, the WHO has designated the last week of April every year (April 24 to 30) as "World Immunization Week" since 2010. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150423
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship of yours is the power to guard press freedom
Download CNA's 'First Hand News' APP to grasp the latest news instantly
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.