'Vaccine+1' Program Launched 「疫苗加一」活動今起跑 適用3類民眾

The Central Epidemic Command Center launched the "Vaccine+1" program, targeting people that haven't gotten a first or second vaccine and anyone over 6 that hasn't yet gotten a next-generation vaccine this year. 

The "Vaccine+1" program was launched on March 6, with some cities and counties offering incentives. Taipei, for example, is handing out a NT$500 voucher to people over 50.

Ms. Wang, Vaccine Recipient: “I'm about to go overseas, so I thought I should get another (booster).”

Ms. Huang, Vaccine Recipient: “I'm going to a concert in April, and I thought it'd be a good idea to get another booster since there'll be a lot of people there.”

The Central Epidemic Command Center says the program is aimed at three target groups: people that haven't gotten their first or second dose, and anyone over six that hadn't gotten a Moderna next-generation bivalent BA.4/5 vaccine as of Jan. 1 this year. Experts say the program will help lower the risk of developing severe symptoms, especially among high-risk groups, after infection.

Zen Lin, Primary Care Association ROC Chair: “The virus isn't going away. It's going to be around forever. Although Omicron has more mild symptoms, immunity weakens with age. Right now, three-fourths or more of fatalities and severe cases are older people.”

The mask mandate was recently lifted at schools, and people with mild symptoms will no longer be required to home quarantine or report their infection to the government soon. The next phase of restrictions being lifted or relaxed could be announced this month.

一早就有不少民眾到疫苗接種站排隊，因為「疫苗加一」活動，6日週一開打。部分縣市為了鼓勵民眾打疫苗，還祭出各種獎勵措施，例如設籍台北市50歲以上民眾，只要打疫苗，就可領到500元禮券。

接種疫苗民眾王女士說：「最近我快要出國，那我就想說，我還是要打一下（疫苗）。」

接種疫苗民眾黃小姐表示：「我4月份要去演場會，想說人比較多，所以還是打一下疫苗。」

疫情指揮中心表示，本次活動適用3類對象，包括「未曾接種過任何1劑疫苗」、「尚未完成基礎劑」，以及「6歲以上，於今年元旦起，未接種過莫德納BA.4/5次世代疫苗」者，疫苗加一劑可有效降低染疫後併發重症及死亡風險，尤其是高風險族群。

基層醫療協會理事長林應然指出：「病毒不會消失，還一直存在這個世界上。雖然Omicron是輕症，但是你年紀大，你的免疫力就是比較差。你看我們現在，很多重症跟死亡，四分之三甚至更高的比例，都是跟老年人有關。」

由於新冠本土疫情逐漸降溫，疫情相對處在低點，校園口罩令也已鬆綁。指揮中心表示，輕症確診者免隔離也免通報的時機越來越成熟，後續防疫鬆綁措施，可望在3月進行宣布預告。