Taiwan Prioritizes COVID-19 Vaccination for 290,000 Semiconductor Industry Workers

TSMC located in Hsinchu Science Park, northern Taiwan
Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Taiwan is prioritizing COVID-19 vaccinations for personnel at 900 semiconductor-related workplaces. This is seen as a government-level effort to protect the nation's strategic industries.

According to reports from Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) and Taiwan's Commercial Times on the 9th, Taiwan's Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) recently selected 290,000 personnel from three science parks as priority vaccination targets.

The three science parks in Taiwan house factories such as TSMC, the world's largest foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) company. These facilities account for more than 15% of Taiwan's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The Taiwanese government has encouraged science park personnel to use diagnostic testing and an online vaccine reservation system.

Additionally, six large vaccination centers have been established for companies with fewer than 300 employees, while companies with 300 to 1,000 employees will secure locations in coordination with the science park administration. Large enterprises with more than 1,000 employees will secure their own vaccination sites.

An official from the Ministry of Science and Technology stated, "Once vaccines are ready, we will lower risks within the parks by having personnel make reservations in advance and receive vaccinations accordingly."

As of the previous day, Taiwan has reported 11,694 confirmed cases and 308 deaths. Notably, community infections appear to be spreading to some factories related to the electronics industry.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.