Page 92 - 2024 Taiwan Health and Welfare Report

2024 Taiwan Health and Welfare Report

2. To effectively monitor antibiotic resistance and 3. Applied nanopore sequencing technology for rapid
improve infection control and antibiotic management and accurate detection and surveillance of emerging
quality, 234 hospitals nationwide participated in diarrheal pathogens, epidemic strains, genotypes,
the Taiwan Healthcare-associated infection and and pathogen variations, providing diagnostic
Antimicrobial resistance Surveillance System (THAS) information for physicians and more precise and
antibiotic resistance monitoring module reporting, effective methods for infectious disease prevention
with 122 (52%) using automated reporting methods and control.
and the remainder using manual reporting.
3. Laboratory biosafety management Chapter 4 Immunization
(1) Implemented laboratory biosafety inspections Section 1 Current Immunization Status
at domestic high-containment laboratories
and installation units with highly dangerous and Trends
pathogens and toxin use/storage. In 2023, the Taiwan's Vaccine Fund was established
document inspections of security management in 2010, and new vaccine policies have been
were completed at 16 biological laboratories. implemented each year since then. Currently, there
(2) In 2023, a total of 10 domestic laboratories are 9 free routine vaccines for children and influenza
vaccines, preventing 15 infectious diseases. In 2023,
conducting research on antimicrobial resistance pneumococcal vaccination for people aged 65 and
were provided guidance and established the above was expanded, implemented in three phases
Laboratory Biosafety Management Manual. As of starting October 2. As of December 31, 2023, the
2023, 165 laboratories of various biosafety levels cumulative vaccination reached 632,000 doses.
had implemented or operated management A "National Immunization Information System"
systems. These laboratories were used as demo was established by Taiwan CDC to monitor and track
labs for the government's promotion of self-
management capabilities at labs. the immunization status of young children. Children's
routine vaccination coverage rate has been maintained,
(3) In 2023, a total of 623 entities in the country that as shown in Figure 6-8. To deal with the side effects
possessed, stored, and used pathogens and of immunizations, the MOHW has established the
biological toxins in Risk Group 2 (RG2) or higher. "Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)" to
The types and numbers of these entities are enable victims to receive the assistance they are legally
shown in Table 6-2. entitled to.

Section 3 Research and Laboratory
Section 2 Development and Manufacture
Testing
of Antiserums/vaccines
1. In 2023, a total of 189,976 specimens were tested, In addition to commissioning the National Health
of which, 31,438 were found to contain a pathogen Research Institutes' Biologics Manufacturing Plant
or tested positive for a related antibody, yielding a to produce BCG vaccines, the Taiwan Centers for
positivity rate of 16.5%. Disease Control (CDC) also independently produces
2. Continued screening for novel coronavirus variants anti-snake venom plasma raw materials. The CDC then
to monitor community transmission changes; commissions the same plant to process this plasma
monitored drug-resistant tuberculosis and zoonotic into anti-snake venom serum products. In 2023, a total
bovine tuberculosis, and utilized an automated strain of 330.2 kilograms of anti-snake venom plasma was
genotype matching system in case management produced. This resulted in the manufacture of 3,915
to enhance real-time monitoring of tuberculosis doses of anti-snake venom serum products, with 3,429
transmission. doses supplied. Additionally, 480,000 doses of BCG
vaccine were manufactured.

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