Novavax COVID-19 vaccine available for priority groups Nov. 12: CDC

Taipei, Nov. 4 (CNA) A traditional, protein-based COVID-19 vaccine developed by Novavax and targeting the JN.1 variant will become available next Wednesday to those eligible for free vaccination, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said Tuesday.

Taiwan recorded 1,398 outpatient visits for COVID-19 from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1, slightly higher than the previous week, but the outbreak -- dominated by the NB.1.8.1 variant -- remains at a low level, CDC spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui (曾淑慧) told a regular press briefing.

Of six reported severe cases during the week, a woman in her 20s with a weakened immune system has been in intensive care since late last month, CDC physician Lin Yung-ching (林詠青) told the briefing.

The woman was diagnosed with severe COVID-19 complicated by pneumonia and last received a COVID-19 vaccine in 2022, Lin said.

Citing the case, Lin urged people with chronic diseases or underlying health issues -- who are at higher risk of developing complications -- to get vaccinated even though the current outbreak is mild.

Meanwhile, a fatality was reported in the same period involving a person aged 65 and over with underlying health conditions.

Starting next Wednesday, people aged 12 and older who are eligible for government-funded vaccination can choose the Novavax JN.1 protein-based vaccine as an alternative to Moderna LP.8.1 mRNA vaccine, Lin said.

Taiwan has offered free Moderna LP.8.1 vaccines since Oct. 1 to priority groups -- including seniors aged 65 and over, preschool children aged 6 months and over, and other groups -- with eligibility expanding on Nov. 1 to include those aged 50 and above without underlying conditions.

Those seeking self-paid vaccines must first undergo a physical assessment at one of 10 designated hospitals, according to the CDC.

On influenza, CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Kuo Hung-wei (郭宏偉) said the week of Oct. 26 to Nov. 1 saw 106,829 outpatient visits, down 4.9 percent from the previous week, while the week of Oct. 28 to Nov. 3 recorded 63 severe cases and nine deaths.

The CDC expects the influenza outbreak to end this week, but the risk of infected individuals developing severe complications remains, he added.

A three-year-old girl with a history of metabolic disease developed breathing difficulties and croup after testing positive for influenza A and was treated in intensive care for six days before being discharged from the hospital at the end of last month, Lin said.

The girl was vaccinated against influenza in previous seasons but not this year, according to the CDC.

The CDC urged people in vulnerable groups to get vaccinated before influenza cases rise again in December, noting that of the 4.778 million doses distributed under government-funded programs since Oct. 1, fewer than 2 million remain in stock.