The Department of Health (DOH) will seek an ambitious expansion of the nation's immunization program, the health minister said yesterday.
Speaking at a seminar held by the newly formed Taiwan Immunization Vision and Strategy Alliance, DOH Minister Hou Sheng-mao (
The current list of vaccinations covered by the DOH includes the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP), polio, varicella, measles, mumps and rubella, Japanese encephalitis and influenza.
The coverage includes four DTP shots, but the booster at six years of age is not yet covered. Infants and those over the age of 65 are eligible for free annual influenza shots.
Although his goal is a more comprehensive vaccination program, Hou said that many incremental steps were required.
"The government budget is limited," he said, "so we will complete the project gradually, covering the most serious gaps in immunizations first and giving priority to the marginalized."
Hou said partial coverage of some vaccines may encourage parents to give their children more vaccinations out of pocket.
"We hope that as the volume of vaccinations goes up, costs will go down," Hou said.
To ensure stability in the funding of future vaccination programs, Hou said a central government fund would be created for immunization efforts. The fund would also accept donations from businesses and individuals, he said.
Hou added that in a meeting between international experts in public health policy and President Chen Shui-bian (
"If the money is set aside in a fund, it cannot be affected by the vagaries of the budget," Hou said. "For immunization programs to be effective, they must be ongoing."
Lin Tzou-yien (
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