The nation's vaccine programs must be carefully budgeted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) to ensure their sustainability, Premier Jiang Yi-huah said at today's Cabinet meeting after an MOHW report on vaccination policy results and development goals.
"Several items have continued from the beginning of national vaccination initiatives until today," Jiang said. "If spending on vaccinations continues to rise, then a long-term funding plan should be formulated. All potential funding sources, including the tobacco surcharge, should be carefully considered in order to head off a possible crisis in which programs are forced to be suspended in the future."
Turning to Taiwan's achievements in vaccinations, the premier said, "Our nation's comprehensive and stable system was established following long efforts by agencies like the MOHW as well as research institutes. It is actively developing new vaccines like the successful H1N1 influenza vaccine created in 2009, and it compares favorably with its counterparts in other advanced countries.
To offer citizens superior services and further advance their health and welfare, in 2014 a second-phase plan will be in place to enrich the national vaccine fund and promote immunizations, the premier said.