As fears grow over the threat of an A(H1N1), or swine flu, epidemic, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) yesterday released a priority list of recipients for the distribution of vaccines when they become available in November.
“Flood victims will be the first group, followed by health workers,” Centers for Disease Control (CDC) director-general Steve Kuo (郭旭崧) said.
Next on the list are pregnant women, children aged between one and six and patients with severe injuries aged seven and over; children aged between seven and 12 and teenagers between 13 and 15; teenagers between 16 and 18; young people aged between 19 and 24; patients with cardiac problems, liver problems, kidney problems and diabetes older than 25; adults aged between 25 and 49; adults aged between 50 and 64; and senior citizens 65 and over.
PHOTO: CNA
Department of Health Deputy Minister Chang Shan-chwen (張上淳) said the priority list was decided on after studying the CDC's swine flu epidemic statistics.
The first 5 million doses of swine flu vaccine may be used up after vaccinating the first six groups, but there was no need to panic, Chang said.
“Not everybody needs the vaccine,” Chang said. “Those who have been infected, for instance, do not need it.”
Department of Health Minister Yaung Chih-liang (楊志良) said he would brief President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) on the latest situation today, while reassuring the public that swine flu was different from SARS.
“There is no cure for SARS, but we know how to fight swine flu,” Yaung said.
At press time yesterday, CDC statistics showed that three new severe cases of swine flu had been reported, including a 23-year-old male, a 23-year-old female and a 15-year-old male — all in the Taichung area.
The Navy also confirmed three additional cases yesterday. Two of the sailors have been discharged from hospital, while the third remained hospitalized.
The Taiwan Solidarity Union yesterday urged the government to allow a legislative representative to be part of the CECC to boost transparency in the nation's fight against the A(H1N1) virus.
TSU Chairman Huang Kun-huei (黃昆輝) said the government must be rigorous in fighting the virus, while keeping the public well-informed to minimize worries.
Speaking at the TSU press conference, former Kaohsiung City Bureau of Health director Chen Yong-shing (陳永興), who led the city through the SARS outbreak, urged the government to purchase foreign-made vaccines immediately while waiting for the domestic manufacturer to finish production in October.
Various health bureaus and hospitals across the country should conduct regular simulations in case of an outbreak, he said, adding that the government should disclose all information regarding A(H1N1) influenza transmission in the country, including updates on the quantity of anti-virals stockpiled by the government.
Infectious disease prevention should also take precedence in the flooded areas in the south, he said, saying decomposing carcasses, stagnant water and muddy puddles were all hot beds for diseases, including dengue fever.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) again called on Ma to hold a national security meeting immediately on the flu situation
Relaying a message from DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) after the party's Central Standing Committee meeting, party spokesman Cheng Wen-tsang (鄭文燦) said that the government's failure to keep in touch with the latest developments was why it had moved so slowly in the aftermath of the typhoon, leading to massive loss of life and property.
The local governments have worked hard to help the victims get back on their feet, but the central government has moved at a snail's pace in providing necessary support, he said.
Presidential Office Spokesman Wang Yu-chi (王郁琦) said yesterday that Ma would meet epidemic prevention experts at the Presidential Office today to gain a better understanding of the growing threat of an A(H1N1) epidemic.
Su Chi (蘇起), NSC Deputy Secretary-General Lee Hai-tung (李海東), Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄), the health minister, Academia Sinica President Wong Chi-huey (翁啟惠), former minister of health Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) and former Centers for Disease Control director Su I-jen (蘇益仁) will also attend the meeting.
Chen and Su have repeatedly warned of a possible nationwide outbreak of the virus in the coming months.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY KO SHU-LING
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