Consensus on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations: Challenges and strategies for high-risk populations in Taiwan

Chih-Hsing Wu; Wei-Chieh Hung; Chun-Feng Huang; Yen-Tze Liu; Shao-Yi Cheng; Chai-Jan Chang; Li-Ning Peng; Chi-Hua Yen; Cheng-Kuo Huang

doi:10.1016/j.jfma.2024.12.003

Consensus on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations: Challenges and strategies for high-risk populations in Taiwan

J Formos Med Assoc. 2024 Dec 9:S0929-6646(24)00562-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jfma.2024.12.003. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Chih-Hsing Wu¹, Wei-Chieh Hung², Chun-Feng Huang³, Yen-Tze Liu⁴, Shao-Yi Cheng⁵, Chai-Jan Chang⁶, Li-Ning Peng⁷, Chi-Hua Yen⁸, Cheng-Kuo Huang⁹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan; Institute of Gerontology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan.
² Department of Family Medicine and Community Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Medicine for International Students, College of Medicine, I-Shou University School, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
³ Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan; Division of Family Medicine, En Chu Kong Hospital, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Family Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan; Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan.
⁵ Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan.
⁶ Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Taiwan.
⁷ Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan; Department of Geriatric Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan.
⁸ Department of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Department of Family and Community Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taiwan.
⁹ Huang Cheng Kuo Clinic, Taiwan. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39658415
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2024.12.003

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact globally, particularly in high-risk populations such as those with underlying health conditions. In response to the evolving pandemic landscape and the recent surge in confirmed cases in Taiwan, the Taiwan Association of Family Medicine (TAFM) established a consensus on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for vulnerable groups through a comprehensive literature review, expert panel discussions, and a practice-oriented formulation procedure to develop evidence-based guidance. Its key findings highlight the increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes among individuals with disorders such as diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory illness. It emphasizes the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly mRNA vaccines, in these high-risk populations. It particularly underscores the critical role of family medicine physicians in the COVID-19 response, including routine screening, health education, vaccination delivery, and continuous research to optimize strategies. Ongoing monitoring, adaptation, and collaborative efforts will be essential to ensure the continued effectiveness of these recommendations in the evolving COVID-19 landscape. In conclusion, the TAFM consensus recommendations provide a robust framework to guide healthcare providers and policymakers in tailoring vaccination efforts to address the unique needs of vulnerable groups in Taiwan and are an applicable template for neighboring countries.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccine; Consensus; High-risk populations; Vulnerable groups; mRNA.

Publication types

Review