The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday said that more than half of the 556 cases of severe seasonal flu reported since July have been senior citizens over the age of 65, and urged those in high-risk groups to make sure they are vaccinated.
CDC Deputy Director-General Lin Ting (林頂) said that from July 1 to Thursday last week, there have been 24 fatalities as a result of severe seasonal flu, most of those being elderly or young children. Although about 30 percent of those over 65 years old have been vaccinated, health officials remain concerned that the level is too low.
The CDC said that children under the age of six are also one of the groups most at risk, but many parents are reluctant to give their children the necessary vaccinations.
The CDC has purchased almost 3 million flu shots this year, but so far the public has used only 1.4 million shots.
Lin said that because this year’s flu vaccine matches up well with flu virus strains that are becoming widespread, the shots are likely to provide greater protection against seasonal flu this year. As the temperature drops over the next few days, health authorities are concerned that the number of people affected by the flu virus will increase rapidly.
The vaccination program will run until Nov. 30, for citizens over the age of 65, children aged six months to 10 months, medical personnel in charge of disease control and prevention, poultry farmers and patients with rare or serious diseases.
If the number of doses available continues to exceed requirements, any surplus would be made available to the general public from Dec. 1, the center said.
People who are not on the priority list for free inoculation can still be vaccinated for between NT$500 and NT$600 a shot, the CDC said.
Health authorities began offering free vaccinations against seasonal flu in 1998, and added swine flu — officially known as influenza A(H1N1) — last year, amid global fears over A(H1N1), which can be fatal.
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