Taiwan health token scheme boosts flu, COVID and pneumonia vaccine uptake
Taiwan's CDC reports that a health token program launched on Oct. 1 has lifted both publicly funded and out-of-pocket vaccinations for flu, COVID-19 and pneumococcal disease.
The Centers for Disease Control in Taiwan announced that the health token initiative, which began on Oct. 1, has spurred notable gains in vaccine coverage across three diseases. Publicly funded flu shots rose roughly 7 % while self-paid flu vaccinations jumped about 70 % versus the previous year. COVID-19 vaccinations grew 35 % in the government program and 58 % among those paying out of pocket.
For pneumococcal disease, public vaccinations were 3.5 times higher and private ones 2.4 times higher than the same period last year. Recipients earn 450 tokens for a flu shot, 900 for a COVID-19 dose and 600 for a pneumococcal vaccine. The CDC also noted a decline in influenza-like illness visits and reported 85 new severe flu cases and 28 flu-related deaths in the week of Oct. 20-26. Director-General Lo Yi-chun urged continued vaccination and basic hygiene measures.
Why it matters
The program shows how incentives can quickly raise vaccine rates, helping curb seasonal illnesses.
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