COVID-19 infection numbers remain high across Taiwan, but vaccination rates keep improving at the same time. Over 80% of the adult population have received two doses of a COVID vaccine, and close to two-thirds have gotten three. But children aged six to eleven only became eligible for vaccination in April, so few have been inoculated so far. Now, Taiwan is trying to address that problem by setting up mass vaccination centers for children.
A mass COVID-19 vaccination site for children began operation at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei on Wednesday. Instead of fanfare, it opened to the wailing and shrieking of children.
This is one of seven mass vaccination centers opened for children across Taiwan. The other six are located in New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung.
Children aged six and over are able to get doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the seven sites. Parents are not required to make appointments in advance.
Children aged six to eleven only became eligible for vaccination against COVID-19 in April, so their inoculation rates are lagging behind the national average.
Doctor Hou Ming-chi says parents should take their children to a hospital if they notice certain symptoms following the vaccination. These include a fever of over 38 degrees that persists for more than 48 hours, shortness of breath, and twitching.
The Taipei vaccination site estimates that it will inoculate around 2000 children on its first day. To the delight of parents and the dismay of children, the site will remain open throughout the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival.
Tomasz Koper, RTI News