Can migrant workers and new immigrants register for the "BNT (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine?

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on September 2 expressed thanks to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., (TSMC), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., and Yonglin Charity Foundation, and Buddhist Tzu Chi Charity Foundation for donating a combined 15 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT) vaccine.

New immigrants can apply through the online registration system as long as they have an Alien Resident Card (ARC). Application processes are the same as that of local Taiwanese.

Under the CECC's current plans, adolescents aged 12-17 (inclusive) are prioritized for the vaccine shots, and the shots will be given according to the lists of eligible adolescents it compiles, and people aged 18-22 (inclusive) who have registered their willingness and are not vaccinated will be the next group of recipients to receive the remaining vaccine doses.

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New immigrants and migrant workers can register for the vaccine through the online platform. (Photo / Provided by the CECC)

Aside from the ARC, foreigners and new immigrants can also register for the vaccine online with their National Health Insurance (NHI) numbers. Due to the new UI numbers, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) pointed out that regardless of a new or old U. number, it will be valid as long as it is within the period of validity and can be approved by "convenience stores and pharmacies". Persons must register onto the "COVID-19 Vaccination Registration and Reservation platform" using the "UI. No. on the NHI card (center of the card) + NHI card No. (bottom left of the card).

Healthcare Mobile APP vaccine registration

1. Those with the "New UI. No. + New NHI card No.": If foreigners used the new UI. No to apply for a new NHI card, they must register for vaccine again with the new NHI card through the Healthcare Mobile APP.
2. Those with "New UI. No + Old NHI card No.": If foreigners used the old UI. No to apply for an NHI card (old number format) they may log onto the APP with the old UI. No to register for the vaccine. However, if those with the old UI. No. are unable to register through the Healthcare Mobile APP, they can register through the "COVID-19 Vaccination Registration and Reservation platform", convenience stores and pharmacies.

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New immigrants and migrant workers will be on the same waitlist as local Taiwanese. (Photo / Retrieved from United Daily News)

The MOHW reminded that the number used to register on the platform must be the same as the number used to book the vaccination appointment. If you want to change your number into the new format to book your vaccination appointment, you must contact the relevant personnel to assist you in registering with your new UI. No.

Furthermore, migrant workers may also apply for vaccination leave. They may take leave from the date of vaccination to 24:00 midnight the next day, but the employer also has no obligation to pay the employee. The 1095 Translation Service organization also provides multilingual information regarding vaccines and migrant worker rights in the following languages: Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, and Tagalog (Filipino).