As Taiwan advances its Healthy Taiwan vision of increasing average life expectancy, reducing unhealthy life years, and lowering child mortality, vaccines have become a cornerstone of the nation’s health agenda.
To support this effort, the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan hosted a special luncheon titled “Starting with Prevention: The Crucial Role of Vaccines in Healthy Taiwan” on September 17 at the Regent Taipei. Leaders from government, academia, medical associations, and industry gathered to underscore the essential role of immunization and to strengthen momentum toward a healthier and more resilient Taiwan.
The discussion examined how vaccination policies are evolving in Taiwan in response to an aging society, rising rates of chronic illness, and the global spread of infectious diseases. Taiwan Centers for Disease Control Director-General Lo Yi-chun emphasized the importance of sustained investment through the National Vaccine Fund, calling it a unique mechanism that ensures financing for national immunization programs.
Although the fund has received incremental budget increases since Covid-19, Lo added that additional budget support is needed to sustain the healthcare workforce that delivers them. He also acknowledged the behavioral and psychological factors that influence uptake, particularly among the elderly, where hesitancy remains a persistent barrier to widespread immunization.
National Health Research Institutes Director Chen Yee-chun highlighted the broad and often underappreciated benefits of vaccination, explaining that “immunization not only prevents acute infection but also helps reduce long-term risks such as cancer, dementia, and antimicrobial resistance,” she said.
She pointed to Taiwan’s outstanding record in childhood immunization, which has dramatically reduced the incidence of diseases such as pneumococcal infection, but stressed that adult and elderly coverage is far less robust. “Improving vaccine access and education across all age groups is essential to realizing the government’s health policy goals,” she said.
From the clinical perspective, the Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan Chairperson Chang Feng-yee noted that older populations remain especially vulnerable to severe complications from preventable diseases.
“We need stronger education campaigns to close the gap between pediatric and adult immunization rates,” he said. Low vaccination rate among older adults, he cautioned, not only endangers individuals themselves but also places an additional burden on already overstretched hospitals and caregivers by limiting resources.
AmCham Taiwan board member and Pfizer Taiwan Country Manager Cellina Yeh reminded attendees of the exceptional return on investment that vaccination delivers, citing studies showing that every dollar spent saves more than forty U.S. dollars in healthcare costs. “Immunization aligns directly with the government’s three Healthy Taiwan goals, so we call on policymakers to accelerate the inclusion of emerging vaccines in the public immunization schedule and to work with the private sector to raise health literacy,” she said.
At the luncheon, the three Co-Chairs of AmCham Taiwan’s Public Health Committee also highlighted vaccination’s central role in advancing the Healthy Taiwan vision. Keizo Miyazawa, country president of Novartis Taiwan, stressed that prevention and precision medicine are key to reducing years lived in poor health. Lauren Lazowski, general manager of Eli Lilly Taiwan, reminded attendees that vaccination is both a medical strategy and a social commitment, vital for healthier communities and stronger resilience. Jon McMillan, general manager of Hologic Taiwan, emphasized the importance of bringing together leaders across sectors to reaffirm vaccines as the foundation of public health.
Participants reached a consensus on three priorities for Taiwan’s vaccine policy: ensuring sustained national vaccine funding, raising awareness to improve vaccination rate among adults and seniors, and strengthening resilience by expanding local capacity and deepening international cooperation. These strategies, echoing AmCham Taiwan’s White Paper, will be critical to achieving Taiwan’s long-term health goals.
Ultimately, achieving the goal of “Healthy Taiwan” relies on a lasting commitment to vaccination. Immunization saves lives, protects the most vulnerable, and eases the strain on healthcare systems, while delivering benefits that extend across society and the economy. With government, academia, medical associations, and industry moving in step, Taiwan has the chance to set a benchmark for how multi-stakeholder collaboration can drive resilience, build public trust, and elevate vaccine policy in support of the long-term vision of Healthy Taiwan.
PP-PRV-TWN-0236 NOVEMBER 2025
