The recent passing of Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu (徐熙媛), known to many as “Big S,” due to influenza-induced pneumonia at just 48 years old is a devastating reminder that the flu is not just a seasonal nuisance — it is a serious and potentially fatal illness.
Hsu, a beloved actress and cultural icon who shaped the memories of many growing up in Taiwan, should not have died from a preventable disease. Yet her death is part of a larger trend that Taiwan has ignored for too long — our collective underestimation of the flu and our low uptake of the annual flu vaccine.
I, like many Taiwanese of my generation, grew up watching Hsu on the screen. Whether it was Meteor Garden, her variety show appearances or her other performances, she was a familiar presence in people’s lives.
Her sudden passing feels surreal — how could someone so vibrant and full of life be taken away by something we often dismiss as “just the flu”? Her death serves as a painful wake-up call: We cannot afford to take influenza lightly any longer.
Taiwan is experiencing one of its worst flu seasons in a decade, with more than 162,000 outpatient and emergency visits for flu-like illnesses in a single week.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has confirmed that flu-related hospitalizations and deaths have reached their highest levels in years.
From October last year to early this month, 641 severe flu cases and 132 deaths have been reported.
Those numbers represent real people — parents, children, colleagues and friends — who might still be alive today had they been vaccinated.
One of the most alarming statistics is that more than 90 percent of those who have died from flu-related complications this season had not received a flu shot.
That alone should be enough to convince everyone that vaccination is a crucial defense against the flu.
Despite those risks, many in Taiwan still see flu vaccination as unnecessary, particularly working-age adults.
The misconception that flu shots are only for the elderly or those with chronic illnesses is a dangerous myth. Hsu’s passing has shattered that belief for many — she was only 48, a stark reminder that influenza does not just claim the lives of the very old or the very young. The flu can be deadly for anyone.
Historically, Taiwan has lagged in flu vaccine uptake, particularly among adults younger than 65.
Even with the government making flu shots widely available, only about 46.3 percent of people older than 65 and 68.6 percent of preschool children have received their flu shots this year. That means that a large proportion of the population — particularly working-age adults, teenagers and younger adults — is still unprotected.
Before Hsu’s death, vaccine hesitancy remained common, and many clinics reported a lack of interest in flu shots.
However, following the news of her passing, demand for flu vaccines surged dramatically, overwhelming hospital phone lines and CDC Web sites with inquiries.
In some areas, free flu shot appointments were fully booked within hours.
It is frustrating that it took a tragedy for people to take action. Why did it take the death of a celebrity for us to recognize the importance of flu prevention?
The evidence has always been there, yet many ignored it.
Unlike in past years, where flu vaccination campaigns focused on high-risk groups, the government has made flu vaccines free for all residents, including foreign nationals with residency cards. The vaccine is available to anyone six months or older at more than 4,000 healthcare facilities across the country.
That is a significant public health investment, and there is no longer a financial barrier to getting vaccinated.
The flu vaccine reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death. Studies consistently show that flu vaccination lowers the risk of flu-related hospitalizations by 40 percent to 60 percent for the general population. For older adults and those with chronic conditions, the vaccine significantly reduces the chance of flu-related complications, including pneumonia, heart attacks and strokes.
Some might say that the flu vaccine is not 100 percent effective.
While it is true that flu strains vary each season, even partial protection can mean the difference between mild symptoms and a life-threatening illness.
Furthermore, those who get vaccinated and still catch the flu tend to have less severe symptoms, shorter illness durations and much lower risks of hospitalization.
When I was growing up, flu shots were not part of our annual routine. Most people did not get them, and they certainly did not take the flu seriously.
That mindset has persisted for decades, but it needs to change. People must begin treating the flu vaccine as an essential part of their healthcare routine.
Taiwan is known for its world-class healthcare system and public health leadership, particularly in infectious disease control. The nation mobilized quickly during SARS and contained COVID-19 more effectively than most countries. Taiwan should apply the same urgency to influenza prevention.
If there is one lesson we can take from Hsu’s passing, it is that flu is not a trivial illness.
It is not just an inconvenience that forces people to stay in bed for a few days.
It is a disease that can take lives suddenly and unexpectedly, even those who appear healthy.
We must not let another preventable death remind us of the importance of flu vaccination.
The flu shot is free. It is safe. It is widely available. There is no excuse for skipping it.
Let this be the moment when Taiwan finally embraces flu vaccination as a standard practice. We owe it to ourselves, our families and our communities.
Do not wait. Get vaccinated today.
Y. Tony Yang is an endowed professor and associate dean at George Washington University in Washington.
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