As Taiwan experiences a fresh wave of COVID-19 cases, concerns over medical supply adequacy have resurfaced — but the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) insists the country is fully equipped to handle the surge.
This assurance comes after Taipei City Councilor Hou Han-ting publicly questioned whether Taiwan has enough antiviral treatments to cover up to 1.81 million projected COVID-19 cases, sparking concern and social media buzz. But public health experts and official data show that this fear, though understandable, may not be grounded in current medical realities.
🏥 COVID-19 Medication Inventory in Taiwan
According to the CDC’s May 30 update, Taiwan has the following COVID-19 treatment stock:
- 💊 Paxlovid (first-line oral treatment): 458,000 courses
- 💊 Molnupiravir (second-line oral treatment): 9,900 courses
- 💊 Xocova (Ensitrelvir, developed in Japan): 5,000 courses (newly introduced)
- 💉 Remdesivir (injectable antiviral): 204,000 doses
This adds up to more than 676,900 antiviral treatments. But the key point often missed in public discussions: not every COVID-positive patient requires antivirals.
📊 Why 676,900 Doses Might Be More Than Enough
Let’s dig into the math the CDC is using:
- Only ~20% of COVID-19 positive patients qualify for antivirals based on risk level.
- If the Ministry of Health and Welfare projects 1.71 million medical visits, that could mean:
- Roughly 342,000 people may actually need antivirals.
- Taiwan’s inventory exceeds this demand.
💡 Analysis: What’s being misunderstood here is the difference between “cases,” “hospital visits,” and “prescribed treatments.” Not everyone who catches COVID-19 needs medication — especially not antivirals. Most younger, healthy patients recover with supportive care.
💉 COVID-19 Vaccination Availability: Not Just Moderna
In response to claims from Dr. Wang Jen-hsien (王任賢) that the government shouldn’t promote vaccines since “only Moderna” is available, the CDC clarified that:
- Taiwan has been supplying both Moderna and Novavax vaccines since May 2023.
- The current campaign includes boosters for high-risk groups and access to the latest JN.1 variant-targeted vaccines.
📈 As of May 18, 2025:
- Over 2.1 million doses of JN.1 variant vaccines have been administered.
- Among seniors (65+), first and second dose coverage stands at:
- 18.3% for the first dose
- 0.48% for the second
While those figures may seem low, they reflect ongoing efforts and point to the need for more public awareness, not a supply failure.
🛡️ CDC’s Stance: Prevention and Misinformation Control
The CDC emphasized two pillars of its strategy:
- Evidence-based recommendations: People should consult doctors or pharmacists before deciding to take or reject vaccines and treatments.
- Combating misinformation: Viral Facebook posts and opinion pieces from political figures can confuse the public. The CDC now regularly debunks false claims to maintain trust and clarity.
🗣️ Expert Commentary:
In a pandemic — especially during surges — perceived shortages can cause real harm, such as panic-buying, vaccine hesitancy, or avoidance of medical care. Taiwan’s CDC is working to counteract this by increasing public education, transparency, and trust in government-supplied medical services.
📘 FAQs
Does Taiwan have enough COVID-19 antiviral medications right now?
Yes. The CDC confirms that Taiwan’s current antiviral stock is sufficient for the projected high-risk population.
What kinds of antivirals are available?
Paxlovid, Molnupiravir, Xocova, and Remdesivir — covering both oral and injectable treatments.
Are only Moderna vaccines available in Taiwan?
No. Taiwan also offers Novavax vaccines since May 2023.
Should I get vaccinated if I’ve already had COVID-19?
Yes, especially if you’re in a high-risk category. Vaccination reduces the risk of reinfection and severe illness from newer variants.
Why are only 20% of patients getting antivirals?
These medications are reserved for those at high risk of complications — a clinical decision to prevent unnecessary side effects or overuse.
