Children Pfizer BNT Vaccines to Arrive in Mid-May 輝瑞兒童疫苗5月中將抵 衝擊莫德納接種

Taipei City Government carried out a " vaccine exercise" in elementary schools before they start giving the Moderna vaccine on May 5. However, officials worry that the imminent arrival of the Pfizer BNT may affect people's willingness to be vaccinated with Moderna. 

Taipei City announced that the Moderna vaccine will be available for elementary school children starting on May 5. It held a simulated exercise on the 29th. Taipei City has made all preparations. It matched hospitals with schools and issued vaccination instructions and letters of will to parents. However, the central government announced on the evening of the 28th that it has completed the contract signing with Pfizer BNT and the children's vaccine will arrive in Taiwan in mid-May. Now it may affect people's willingness to be vaccinated with Moderna. Taipei Deputy Mayor Tsai Ping-kun was not happy with the news.

Tsai Ping-kun, Taipei Deputy Mayor: “Get vaccinated now. And get vaccinated again when BNT arrives. I think it's really hard work for the overall medical system.”

Tsai said although he is happy that the Pfizer BNT vaccine will arrive in Taiwan, the administrative process must be repeated. This is a burden on hospitals. Additionally, there are still 6-year-old children in kindergartens, totaling about 10,000 kids that need to get vaccinated. Tsai called on the central government to inform its policy in advance so that local governments can cooperate better.

Chen Shun-he, Principal, Taipei Municipal Xingan Elementary School: “Not many parents have asked yet. But I believe that many parents have no intention at all of letting their kids get vaccinated. Or they didn't fill out the letter of intent the first time around and will probably fill it out later.”

Hsieh Fu-kai, Parent Association President, Taipei Municipal Xingan Elementary School: “I think more choices of different vaccines are a good thing for parents.”

Parents are optimistic about the Pfizer BNT vaccine arriving in Taiwan, with another option to evaluate. New Taipei Mayor Hou Yo-ih believes that a variety of options will give children a best vaccine choice.

Hou Yu-ih, New Taipei Mayor: “The timing of the vaccine coming into the country is not the same. But I respect everyone's choice. Be sure to choose the best vaccine so our children can be protected.”

Children's vaccines in New Taipei City are expected to start as soon as next week. The decision has not yet been finalized. The city government will arrange for hospitals to enter schools and vaccinate children. Children feeling unwell after vaccination can take a 3-day vaccination leave.

台北市宣布5/5日起為國小學童接種莫德納疫苗，29日更先試行模擬演練，台北市做好一切準備，媒合好醫院進入校，也發出接種須知和意願書給家長。不過中央28日晚間宣布和輝瑞BNT完成簽約，5月中兒童疫苗就將抵台，現在可能衝擊莫德納的接種意願，副市長蔡炳坤第一時間感嘆「將帥無能，累死三軍」。

台北市副市長蔡炳坤提到：「現在打一次，BNT來再打一次，我覺得對整個醫療的量能來講，確實是相當的辛苦。」

蔡炳坤表示到時輝瑞BNT疫苗抵台，雖然開心，但行政流程必須重來一次，對醫療院所也是負擔，尤其現在還有幼兒園滿6歲的兒童，大約一萬多人還要規畫施打細節，呼籲中央提早告知政策，地方才能做好配合。

台北市幸安國小校長陳順和表示：「目前還沒有許多的家長來詢問，但是我相信一定許多家長本來沒有意願，或者是他在第一次沒有填（意願書）的應該都會再填。」

台北市幸安國小家長會長謝富凱認為：「不同的疫苗對於家長來講，多一個選擇我覺得都是好事。」

家長們對於輝瑞BNT來台樂觀其成，認為多一個選項可以評估，新北市長侯友宜認為多樣的選擇，給孩子最好的疫苗。

新北市長侯友宜回應：「因為疫苗進來的時間點不太一樣，不過我一切尊重大家的選擇，一定要選擇最好的疫苗，讓我們孩子能夠都受到保護。」　

至於新北市兒童疫苗何時開打，預計最快下週開始，還沒定案，會比照先前模式安排醫院入校接種，當日接種疫苗後，身體如有不適可請3天疫苗假。