Taipei: Taiwan's top disease control official on Wednesday reflected on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic at a forum in Taipei, while outlining government efforts to promote vaccination rates.
According to Focus Taiwan, Lo Yi-chun, director-general of Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC), addressed the 2026 Europe-Taiwan Healthcare Forum, emphasizing the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Taiwan's adult immunization policy and public attitudes towards vaccination. During the forum, Lo noted that Taiwan's initial success in managing COVID-19 in 2020 led to a lack of urgency among the public to get vaccinated when vaccines became available in March 2021.
Vaccination efforts initially focused on medical personnel in high-risk environments, with self-paid doses provided to individuals traveling abroad for various reasons starting April 21. Lo mentioned that public complacency at the time made it challenging for the CDC to encourage vaccination uptake.
Lo suggested that in future pandemics, it is crucial to communicate early that disease prevention measures are not permanent, enabling both the government and the public to prioritize early vaccination. During the significant COVID-19 outbreaks in May and June 2021, there was a surge in demand for vaccines, but supply shortages hindered efforts, highlighting the need for Taiwan to secure ample vaccine supplies in future crises.
Additionally, Lo addressed the ongoing challenge of influenza vaccination among the elderly, noting that Taiwan's rate remains at around 50 percent, lagging behind countries like South Korea and parts of Europe. He cited vaccine hesitancy and fatigue, particularly regarding COVID-19 and other adult vaccines, as significant barriers to improving vaccination rates.
In response, the CDC has collaborated with prominent nonmedical figures, such as 86-year-old actress Chen Shu-fang, to promote vaccination, aiming to resonate more with the public. Lo emphasized the importance of relatable endorsements in overcoming vaccine hesitancy and encouraging vaccination uptake across Taiwan.