High-Risk Groups Urged to Get COVID Vaccine Now! CDC Predicts Peak in August: Only This Much Vaccine Stock Left

COVID-19 has entered a widespread transmission phase, with 18,990 outpatient and emergency visits reported last week—an increase of 75% from the previous week and the ninth consecutive week of growth. Lin Ming-cheng, Deputy Director of Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC), stated that the current wave is expected to peak in mid-to-late August, potentially reaching 51,000 weekly outpatient visits. He urged the public, especially seniors, chronic disease patients, and those with weakened immune systems, to get vaccinated as soon as possible. It takes approximately two weeks after vaccination for protective immunity to develop.

Lin Ming-cheng noted that demand for the COVID-19 vaccine has surged recently. Last week, nearly 30,000 doses were administered, compared to 11,062 the week before and 3,115 the week prior—marking a tenfold increase in just two weeks. Currently, 160,000 doses remain available for public vaccination. An additional 80,000 doses will be distributed to counties and cities on the 5th, leaving only 80,000 doses in national reserve. Authorities are urging the public to get vaccinated promptly.

Last week also saw a severe situation, with 62 new cases of severe complications from COVID-19—the highest since October last year—and three new deaths. One severe case involved a 60-year-old male from northern Taiwan with medical histories of hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and chronic lung disease. He had received four doses of the COVID-19 vaccine during the 2021–2022 pandemic peak but had not been vaccinated since.

Dr. Lin Yung-ching, Director of the CDC’s Disease Prevention Center, explained that the patient developed fever, cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath in mid-July and visited the emergency department. Tests revealed elevated white blood cell count and inflammation markers. Rapid antigen testing was positive for COVID-19, and chest X-rays showed bilateral pneumonia. He was admitted and treated with antiviral medication. However, three days later, he experienced worsening respiratory distress and was diagnosed with respiratory failure, requiring transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Despite treatment, his pneumonia continued to deteriorate. In late July, he developed hypotension and passed away despite medical intervention. His hospital stay lasted about two weeks, and the cause of death was severe illness caused by a COVID-19 infection.

Dr. Lin also described another severe case involving a male over 65 from central-southern Taiwan with multiple chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and end-stage renal disease. He was on regular dialysis. He had received one dose of the vaccine in October last year but had not received a second booster since.

In late July, he developed symptoms including cough, sore throat, runny nose, and general fatigue. Rapid testing confirmed a positive result, leading him to visit an outpatient clinic where he was prescribed oral antiviral medication. However, his condition progressed rapidly. The next day, he experienced difficulty breathing, low oxygen levels, and altered consciousness, prompting an emergency visit. Chest X-rays at that time already showed pneumonia, and he was immediately admitted to the ICU for treatment.

Lin Ming-cheng added that on July 27, the WHO began listing PQ.16.1.1 separately from NB.1.8.1 due to its increasing global prevalence. However, there is currently no evidence that PQ.16.1.1 causes uniquely severe symptoms. Globally, the dominant circulating variants remain NB.1.8.1, XFG, and JN.1.