Measles Outbreaks Cause Vaccine Shortage|搶打麻疹疫苗 疾管署管制禁自費

Measles continues to spread across Taiwan. So far, there have been 23 confirmed cases of the infectious disease, leading to public panic. During the past three days, 10,000 people have paid to get measles vaccines, resulting in a nationwide shortage. The Centers for Disease Control says it needs to control the vaccine supply and will no longer allow people to get vaccines at their own expense.


A male resident of southern Taiwan in his 20s has been diagnosed with measles despite previously having received two MMR vaccines and not leaving the country in recent weeks. He sought medical treatment in Kaohsiung between Apr. 15 and Apr. 18, and came into contact with a person with measles while in the hospital. The city's Department of Health administered a free measles vaccine, but his immunity was poor as he suffers from a chronic illness and he became infected with measles. This is the year's third measles outbreak, after the Tigerair and Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital outbreaks.

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The number of measles cases in Taiwan is rising, and people are panicking. Many have rushed to hospitals to get measles vaccines at their own expense, leading to a nationwide shortage. Between Apr. 22 and Apr. 24, 10,000 vaccines were administered. In past years, only an average of 40,000 vaccines were administered a year. As a result, the vaccine stock has fallen to 20,000 doses. The Centers for Disease Control therefore announced it has decided measles vaccines will be uniformly regulated effective immediately, and priority will be given to Taipei, New Taipei City and Taoyuan City medical personnel as well as flight and ground crews based at Taoyuan International Airport. The vaccines will no longer be available for inoculation at self-expense. The CDC says the child measles vaccination rate is 97 percent, while 70 percent of people aged 20 to 40 have some protection against measles. It urges the public not to panic. As there is also a global shortage of the measles vaccine, it does not know when the supply can be replenished. The public is advised to practice good sanitary habits, such as frequently washing one's hands and wearing face masks.