Taiwan first-dose vaccination rate hits 77%: CECC

Taipei, Nov. 24 (CNA) Taiwan's first-dose vaccination rate has passed 77 percent,
while almost half of the population have received two doses, the Central Epidemic
Command Center (CECC) reported Wednesday.

As of Tuesday, a total of 29.74 million doses had been administered, including

206,906 that day, amounting to a first-dose vaccination rate of 77.25 percent and a
full vaccination rate of 49.81 percent, CECC tallies showed.

By age, the 18-29 age group had the highest first-dose vaccination rate of 92
percent, followed by the 12-17 and 30-49 age brackets, both at around 89 percent.

Those aged 65-74 were third with 83 percent, the same statistics indicated, while
seniors aged 75 and above posted the lowest first-dose vaccination rate of 73
percent.

In terms of the second-dose vaccination rate, the 65-74 age group was first with 77
percent, followed by those 75 and above with 65 percent.

Seniors are ahead of other age groups in being fully vaccinated because they were
one of the priority groups on the government vaccination list, Minister of Health and
Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) explained.
(A bar chart released Wednesday by the CECC to show the vaccination rates of different age groups. From left to

right: all age groups, 12-17, 18-29, 30-49, 50-64, 65-74, 75 and above. Blue bars: first-dose rates; Orange bars:

second-dose rates. Available data as of 10 a.m. Nov. 23, 2021)

Meanwhile, 1.78 million people have booked an appointment to receive a shot

during the 15th round of vaccinations, booking for which started at 10 a.m. Tuesday
and ended at noon on Wednesday.

The 15th round offers both first and second doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and
Moderna vaccines and a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine to be administered
from Nov. 25-Dec. 1.

With the nationwide vaccination rate gradually increasing since late September and
the COVID-19 pandemic situation across Taiwan under control, Chen announced a
conditional easing of rules Wednesday for those in quarantine or home isolation who
need to attend funerals or visit a sick relative.

Individuals who take a self-paid COVID-19 test and present a negative PCR test done
within two days of attending a funeral or visiting a sick relative will be allowed to go
out for up to four hours, instead of two as at present, Chen said. However, the rule
banning overnight stays away from home remains in place.