The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced Thursday that the required interval between two COVID-19 vaccine doses for high-risk groups will be shortened from six months to two months, effective next Wednesday.

After receiving numerous inquiries from high-risk individuals seeking a second dose of the JN.1 COVID-19 vaccine before the current 180-day interval ends, the CDC decided to accommodate such requests, according to a news statement issued by the agency Thursday afternoon.

The shortened 60-day interval, introduced in consultation with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, will allow three high-risk groups to “boost their immunity earlier” amid a rise in COVID-19 cases in Taiwan, the CDC said.

The three high-risk groups include individuals aged 65 and above, Indigenous people aged 55 to 64 and those aged six months or older with weakened immune systems, the CDC added.

Around 760,000 individuals are expected to be eligible for a second jab next Wednesday, the date set to allow vaccination sites to complete preparations to accommodate the increased demand, the statement read.

It is worth noting that individuals who are not in the high-risk groups are currently only eligible for one dose of the JN.1 COVID-19 vaccine under the publicly funded vaccination program.