Supplies of free seasonal flu vaccines will dry up earlier than usual this year, the Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday, urging those eligible for the free shots to get protected against the virus as soon as possible.
The warning was prompted by a high vaccination rate since the launch of this season’s program at the beginning of the month, deputy director-general of the DOH’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Shih Wen-yih (施文儀) said.
Of the 2.66 million flu shots procured by the government, 1.3 million have already been administered to adults and children that are most at risk of being infected, Shih said.
The shots are expected to run out at the end of next month and possibly earlier in some municipalities where vaccination rates are higher, he said.
High-risk groups include people 65 years of age or above, nursing home residents, people with rare diseases or serious illnesses, children aged from six months to 10 years, medical and epidemic prevention staff and people working in the livestock sector.
The high demand this year also means that there will not be enough shots to go round for those on the waiting list, unlike in previous years when the vaccination rate was lower.
This year, the CDC has identified 2.31 million people at secondary risk and has put them on a waiting list for any remaining free vaccines.
The candidates include children in the 11 to 12 age bracket and seniors aged between 50 and 64 who suffer from diabetes, cirrhosis, cardiovascular disease and/or chronic pulmonary lung disease.
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