Vaccination advice for retirees, tourists and residents

Photo by Hakan Nural on Unsplash

When moving to Taiwan, it’s important to distinguish between required vaccinations for your visa/residency application and recommended vaccinations based on local health risks.

For adult foreigners applying for long-term residency in Taiwan, there are generally no specific vaccine requirements to enter the country or for the Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) application itself.

However, many types of ARC applicants are required to submit a Health Examination Certificate. This certificate has specific medical tests, and while it doesn’t usually list required vaccines, it does screen for conditions like HIV, Tuberculosis, and Syphilis.

Here is a breakdown of what you need to know about vaccinations.

Vaccinations Required BEFORE Coming to Taiwan

Taiwan has very few absolute vaccine requirements for adult immigrants, but a few specific exceptions exist:

1. Proof of Polio Vaccination (Conditional)

You may be required to show proof of having received the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) or the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) if you have:

• Resided in or visited a country deemed high-risk for polio (as specified by the WHO and the Taiwan CDC) for four weeks or longer within the past year.

If this condition applies to you, you must get the vaccination four weeks to one year before applying for your visa.

2. Yellow Fever Certificate (Conditional)

Taiwan does not have a risk of Yellow Fever. However, if you are traveling from or have recently passed through a country where Yellow Fever is endemic, you may be required to present a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate upon arrival.

3. Routine Immunizations (Recommended)

Before moving, you should ensure you are up-to-date on all standard routine adult vaccinations recommended by your home country’s health authorities, which typically include:

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis)
• Varicella (Chickenpox, if you have not had the disease)

Vaccinations Recommended Once You Arrive in Taiwan

Once you are living in Taiwan, it is highly recommended that you receive vaccinations to protect against diseases common to the subtropical environment. These are easily available at local hospitals and clinics.

1. Hepatitis A and B

• Hepatitis A: Recommended for most long-term residents, as it spreads easily through contaminated food and water.
• Hepatitis B: Recommended for travelers to most regions, as there is a moderate presence in the local population.

2. Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Taiwan is in a subtropical zone, so protection against insect-borne illnesses is critical, particularly if you plan to live near rural or agricultural areas.

• Japanese Encephalitis (JE): Highly recommended, especially for long-term travelers and residents, as it is transmitted by mosquitoes and is most common between May and October.
• Dengue Fever, Chikungunya, and Zika: These are risks in Taiwan, particularly during the wet season. While vaccines for Dengue and Chikungunya are becoming available globally, mosquito avoidance measures (repellent, nets, protective clothing) are the primary defense.

3. Other Recommended Vaccinations 

• Pneumonia: Recommended for all adults over 65 or those who are immunocompromised.
• Influenza (Flu Shot): Recommended annually, especially since Taiwan’s flu season generally aligns with the Northern Hemisphere winter (November to April).
• COVID: CDC Taiwan is now recommending annual shots for COVID since the risks haven’t entirely dissipated (see below).
  and
• Rabies: Recommended for long-term residents, hikers, or those who will have direct contact with animals (especially stray dogs or bats), as Taiwan is considered a moderate-risk country.

COVID-19 Vaccination in Taiwan (Post-Pandemic Era)

The COVID-19 vaccine is not a requirement for obtaining a visa or the ARC (Alien Resident Certificate). However, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) strongly recommends it, particularly for high-risk individuals like retirees.

The system is managed as a seasonal public health program, often integrated with the annual influenza vaccine campaign.

1. Before You Arrive

• Completion of Primary Series: It is highly recommended that you complete your primary series (initial doses) of a widely recognized vaccine (like Pfizer, Moderna, etc.) before moving to Taiwan, as this may simplify your booster schedule later.

2. Once You Arrive (Seasonal Boosters)

Taiwan’s public health policy focuses on offering annual boosters that target the most prevalent circulating strains (e.g., JN.1, LP.8.1).³

• Free (Publicly Funded) Vaccines: Taiwan offers free (publicly funded) seasonal COVID-19 boosters to eligible high-risk groups.⁴ As a retiree, you will fall into one of these priority groups once you are a legal resident (with an ARC) and have access to the healthcare system.
• High-Risk Eligibility (Key for Retirees): The main priority groups that qualify for the free vaccines often include:
  • Adults aged 65 and older.
  • Individuals with moderate to severe immunodeficiencies or chronic diseases.
• Vaccine Type: The vaccines offered are generally the most up-to-date adapted vaccines that target current variants, following the recommendations of the WHO and the US CDC.

3. How to Get Vaccinated

Once you are settled and enrolled in the National Health Insurance ($\text{NHI}$)—which usually happens after six months of residency—getting your COVID-19 booster is straightforward:

• Dual Campaigns: The Taiwan CDC often launches the COVID-19 and flu vaccination programs simultaneously (typically starting in October), encouraging people to get both shots in the same visit (“Left flu, right COVID”).
• Location: Vaccines are available at local public health centers and many contracted clinics and hospitals.
• What to Bring: You will need your ARC and your National Health Insurance (NHI) Card to receive the publicly funded vaccine. You may also need to show any previous COVID-19 vaccination record cards.

In summary: While not strictly required for entry, getting the seasonal COVID-19 booster is strongly recommended by the Taiwan CDC, and the vaccine is readily available and free for high-risk groups, including most retirees, once you are a resident.

Final Recommendation

Before you travel, consult a physician specializing in travel medicine. They can review your complete vaccination history and offer personalized advice based on your age, health status, and planned activities in Taiwan.

Once you arrive, securing a local doctor (often found in large hospitals with international service centers) will allow you to access all these vaccines, often at a very reasonable cost under the National Health Insurance (NHI), once you qualify and enroll.

So consider if you should go to a large hospital, like Taiwan Adventist Hospital in Taipei. They have an International Priority Care Centre (IPCC), which offers comprehensive services tailored specifically for expatriates and international visitors. This includes:

• Multi-lingual service: They are known for their efficient multi-lingual services, particularly in English and Japanese, and have English-speaking nursing staff.
• Convenience: They offer “One-Stop customized service” for a streamlined experience, and their doctors can often provide diagnosis and treatment within the same visit.
• Logistical support: They can assist with appointment arrangements, follow-up services, direct billing to various international insurance companies, and even help with travel necessities.

Another prominent hospital with a strong international presence is National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH), also in Taipei, which operates an International Medical Service Center that is a healthcare provider facility for institutions like the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and International SOS.