As of Tuesday, more than 64% of Taiwan''s population had received at least one shot of a COVID vaccine, and 23% had the full two-dose course. With vaccinations rapidly climbing, discussion has turned to when the CECC will lift all COVID-related measures in Taiwan, including border controls.

Though no firm goal has been set, former vice president Chen Chien-jen, who''s an epidemiologist, suggests Taiwan could follow other countries'' examples and ease restrictions after 70% of the population is fully vaccinated.

The latest round of vaccine bookings closed at midday on Wednesday. This 12th vaccination round will be offering three different vaccine brands to registrants. But securing an appointment on the system was no easy feat. That was especially the case in Taipei, were time slots at many locations filled up immediately after booking periods opened. Many people say they have had to schedule their shots outside of the district they live in. Borough wardens have heard it all and over again.

Chen Chih-ing
Borough warden
Sometimes people come in and let out a string of choice words. Some people have been puzzled from the very beginning about the two steps required. They think it’s a hassle. They already signed up for vaccines and now there aren’t enough time slots. Everyone has to race to book a shot. So some people might feel like they are just second-class citizens. Like, what’s up with all this rushing about?

The borough warden says that for many workers, booking a shot far away is not an option. They say some are waiting for a fresh round of appointments to try their luck once again.

Chen Shih-chung
Health minister
Going to other districts to get a shot is of course somewhat inconvenient. But I think that, from a national perspective, boosting vaccine coverage as quick as possible, as well as boosting people’s willingness to get vaccinated are the things that we should be working on.

The CECC wants more people inoculated. As of Tuesday, more than 15.06 million people in Taiwan had received at least one shot of a COVID vaccine, for a nationwide coverage of 64.29%. In addition, more than 5.47 million second shots have gone in arms, for 2-dose coverage of 23%. Amid rising vaccination figures, speculation is now moving on to when the CECC will fully lift COVID restrictions.

Chen Chien-jen
Academia Sinica scholar
I think most countries have decided to ease restrictions after double-dose coverage got between 70% and 75%. In other countries, the COVID death rate fell from 2% to 0.05%.

Former vice president and epidemiologist Chen Chien-jen pointed out what other countries had done. In response, health minister Chen Shih-chung said lifting all restrictions when 70% of the population is fully vaccinated would be an optimistic prospect, adding that Taiwan had made plans to acquire booster shots. For the moment, it’s looking like pandemic measures and border controls are here to stay for at least some time more.