TAIPEI: Taiwan is preparing to launch a large publicly funded influenza vaccination programme as the island continues to experience an unusually active flu season, with health authorities warning that elevated transmission could persist into November.

The vaccination campaign is scheduled to begin on October 1, while health officials are closely monitoring influenza activity across the country. Authorities have reported that the number of people seeking medical attention for influenza-like illness has reached a 10-year high for this period of the year.

Health officials said influenza activity recently appeared to plateau and could gradually decline, but the current epidemic may continue for several more weeks. This has prompted authorities to strengthen vaccination efforts and public-health communication ahead of the next phase of the flu season.

Taiwan has secured approximately 7.05 million doses of influenza vaccine for the programme, including around 200,000 enhanced vaccines designed to provide additional protection. The enhanced doses will initially be prioritized for people aged 65 and above who live in long-term-care facilities.

The first phase of the vaccination programme will cover several groups considered to have greater health risks or greater potential exposure to influenza.

Eligible groups include older adults, pregnant women, healthcare workers, young children, people with certain chronic or underlying conditions, residents and workers in long-term-care facilities, and students. Parents or caregivers of infants younger than six months will also be included in the first phase.

A second phase is scheduled to begin on November 2, when publicly funded influenza vaccination will expand to adults aged 50 to 64 who do not have high-risk chronic conditions.

The timing of the campaign reflects concerns about continued influenza transmission. Taiwan’s infectious-disease surveillance system recorded severe complicated influenza cases during September, with official data showing 1,249 cases and 231 deaths during 2026 as of September 25.

Influenza A viruses have been the predominant strains reported during the current season. Regional surveillance has also shown increased influenza activity in several parts of East Asia, although levels differ considerably between countries and regions.

Taiwanese authorities are also encouraging people to consider COVID-19 vaccination alongside influenza vaccination. The government has instructed local authorities, schools and childcare institutions to strengthen prevention measures and improve public awareness.

Schools are being encouraged to support vaccination activities, while health authorities are working with local governments to monitor the spread of influenza and communicate information about prevention.

The government is also linking the vaccination campaign with a health incentive programme scheduled to begin at the same time as the first vaccination phase. The initiative is intended to encourage eligible residents to make use of preventive healthcare services.

Health officials are paying particular attention to children, older adults, pregnant women and people with existing health conditions because influenza can produce more serious complications in these groups.

The current situation also highlights the importance of vaccination timing. Authorities are making doses available before the epidemic potentially continues into the later months of the year, giving eligible people an opportunity to receive protection while transmission remains active.

Taiwan’s approach combines vaccination with surveillance, school-based prevention measures, public communication and protection for higher-risk populations.

Although recent influenza activity has shown signs of leveling off, officials are not assuming that the epidemic will end immediately. Continued monitoring will be necessary to determine whether infections decline as expected or remain elevated into the later part of the year.

The vaccination programme beginning October 1 will therefore be an important component of Taiwan’s response to the ongoing influenza season.