Domestic Epidemic Prevention and Control(2014)

Domestic Epidemic Prevention and Control(2014)

Current Status The Taiwan government provides free immunizations to children up to 6 years of age, including BCG; 5-in-1 (diphtheria and tetanus toxoid with acellular pertussis, haemophilus influenzae type b, and inactivated polio, DTaP-Hib-IPV); hepatitis B; varicella; measles, mumps, rubella (MMR); Japanese encephalitis; tetanus; diphtheria toxoids; acellular pertussis and inactivated polio vaccine (Tdap-IPV); and influenza. The current immunization schedule is shown in table 3-1. Parents of newborns are given a children’s health handbook with a recommended immunization schedule. Children can receive vaccinations at 373 health stations and more than 1,600 contracted hospitals and clinics across Taiwan. Health stations regularly carry out health promotion programs for improving the coverage rate. The programs include mailing reminder postcards, making notification phone calls, scheduling home visits and providing media announcements. Moreover, public health nurses at the health stations where children are registered regularly monitor immunization records and follow up on children who have not received up-to-date immunization to ensure those children complete the vaccination series. The immunization coverage rate is now above 95% (see Figure 3-1).