The Taipei City Department of Health has introduced a vaccine incentive program to raise child immunization rates and support local clinics. The plan grants an additional NT$100 (US$3.24) to medical staff who administer publicly funded vaccines to children aged six or younger.
The initiative responds to growing calls from doctors and clinics to raise the vaccination treatment fee. The current NT$100 rate returned after the COVID-19 pandemic, when the temporary NT$200 payment ended. The vaccine incentive program aims to fill that gap and maintain strong vaccination participation.
During the pandemic, the Central Epidemic Command Center had doubled the fee to encourage clinics to keep offering vaccines. Once the command center disbanded, the payment reverted to its original level. Many healthcare workers argued that this discouraged vaccine administration.
CDC Director-General Philip Lo said the Cabinet has agreed to expand the national vaccination budget. If lawmakers approve, the new plan would raise the fee to NT$200 for young children and NT$150 for adults. This change would further support Taipei’s vaccine incentive program and national immunization goals.
Taipei’s routine immunization program covers nine vaccines and 19 doses. Children receive 17 of those doses before age three. The city achieved a 97.8 percent coverage rate last year, but health officials want to keep improving that figure.
The city government has set aside NT$19.6 million for the new policy. Once approved by the city council, the vaccine incentive program could begin soon.
Officials are also urging elderly residents to receive pneumococcal vaccines. Pneumonia remains Taipei’s third-leading cause of death. In 2023, it claimed 1,815 lives, with mortality rates rising each year.
Health experts say Streptococcus pneumoniae causes many severe infections, including pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. Vaccination reduces these risks and helps prevent death.
Through the vaccine incentive program, Taipei aims to strengthen disease prevention, reward medical professionals, and protect residents of all ages.
