Taiwan’s government has introduced an online system that allows people to register for a COVID-19 vaccine. Over four million people have used the system since it went national on July 8.
This text message is notifying the recipient that they’re eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. It’s part of the government’s new online registration system. Here’s how it works. First, you sign up online using your National Health Insurance information. Then you choose what kind of vaccine you prefer, and once you’re eligible, the system will allow you to schedule an appointment.
What happens if you fail to schedule an appointment in time? Well Digital Minister Audrey Tang, the mastermind behind the system, says that you can simply wait for the next round of vaccinations. You don’t have to re-register. The point is, once you’re in the system, you’re in the system.
There are other ways to schedule an appointment, too… you can do it at at convenience stores and pharmacies.
Right now, anyone over 18 can sign up and, as of July 13, nearly five million people have done so. As for vaccine preferences, only 1.3% of users selected just AstraZeneca, while 63.84% selected just Moderna. However, the remaining 34.85% opted for either one of the vaccines.
There are many obstacles standing in the way of getting people vaccinated in Taiwan. Hopefully, with this system, technology won’t be one of them.