At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a report from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on a program to develop information infrastructure for a resilient epidemic control safety network, as well as on measures for preventing and controlling the spread of influenza. The premier said the nation's experience battling COVID-19 demonstrated that disease control efforts must shift from a manpower-based approach toward digital governance. The MOHW program aims to reshape the national digital infrastructure for epidemic prevention and update its blueprint for the future.
The premier said the program is designed to effectively enhance the long-term resilience and stable operation of Taiwan's epidemic control system through five major implementation strategies: building resilient and secure information infrastructure for epidemic control; establishing a data governance framework; adopting international data exchange standards; leveraging AI to strengthen epidemic control services; and fostering specialized government IT talent for epidemic prevention.
Regarding influenza prevention and control measures, Premier Cho said that to address the peak influenza season, the MOHW has coordinated with local governments to closely track developments in the outbreak, ensured ample supplies of medicines and vaccines through stockpiling and procurement, and is preparing to launch a government-funded influenza vaccination program on October 1, 2026. He also urged the public to remain vigilant about their health, noting that although the epidemic has already peaked and is expected to gradually decline, the influenza season may extend into November.