Rush to Get Third Doses After 0+7 Takes Effect 0+7新制上路 催出第三劑疫苗打氣

The central government's new 0+7 policy has taken effect. Under the policy, those who live with a confirmed case and have received three vaccine doses and test negative in a rapid test will not have to quarantine.

These people are waiting to get their third vaccine shots. The central government's new 0+7 policy took effect on May 17. Under the policy, those who live with a confirmed case and have received three vaccine doses and test negative in a rapid test will not have to quarantine. They will only be required to undergo seven days of "self-initiated epidemic prevention." As a result, demand for vaccines soared.

Cheng Ying-chieh, Chairperson, Pingtung Medical Association: “There is a different policy for those who have received three or more vaccine doses, they have more freedom.”

Tseng Che-huang, Doctor, Gee-Tien Ear Nose & Throat Hospital: “Many haven't gotten their third doses. Now that this new policy (0+7) has been rolled out, you should get your third dose before anyone in your household gets infected.”

The second-dose vaccination coverage stands at over 80 percent, but the third-dose coverage is only 61.9 percent. Doctors urge people to get third doses.

Resident: “I feel that there are fewer limitations on your time now that you don't have to quarantine.”

Many people are getting their third shots to avoid developing moderate or severe symptoms and avoid quarantine. However, the number of cases continues to ascend. Lots of people who have developed symptoms are afraid to get medical treatment and instead just purchase OTC medications at pharmacies. Pharmacists say sales of pain relievers and cold medications have increased by 50 percent.

Chang Chin-yu, Adviser, Kaohsiung City Pharmacists Association: “The epidemic situation is more severe now, so many people are buying self-prepared medications. Almost every type has sold out. ”

The government continues to relax restrictions as the epidemic situation becomes grimmer. As a result, all people can do is take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their family members.

民眾坐在候診區填資料，準備打第三劑，中央宣布「0+7」居家隔離新制，即日起確診者的同住家人，只要打滿三劑、且快篩陰性，就不用隔離，只須自主防疫7天，讓民眾施打意願提升。

屏東縣醫師公會理事長鄭英傑說：「打3劑以上就可以，不一樣的政策，他們可以行動比較自由。」

各縣市第1、2劑施打率已超過80%，第3劑追加劑卻只有61.9%，醫師呼籲民眾盡快接種、增加保護。

吉田診所醫師曾哲凰表示：「不少人還沒有打第3劑，當『0+7』政策要推出的時候，家裡甚至還沒有人感染的時候，家裡如果有人還沒有打第3劑的，應該都來補足。」民眾也說，「不用居隔，這樣會比較覺得時間上不會被限制住。」

捲起袖子、打好打滿，接種的民眾擔心中重症或居隔影響工作，但確診人數一直增加，也有部分民眾出現輕微症狀不敢去診所，自行前往藥局購買常備藥，藥師觀察，止痛、感冒等藥品，銷量提高5成。

高雄市藥師公會顧問張錦毓指出：「疫情比較嚴謹，所以很多民眾都會買自備藥，自備藥差不多每一種藥現在要叫貨，都是有缺貨。」

居隔政策不斷放寬，但疫情依舊嚴峻，不管是打疫苗、自備常備藥或防疫茶等，民眾做好自我保護，只為了保護自己跟家人，不要染疫。