The National Health Insurance Bureau will save NT$570 million a year if everyone over the age of 65 receives a free influenza vaccine provided by the government, a top doctor said yesterday.
Mackay Memorial Hospital Vice Superintendent Huang Fu-yuan (
In a press conference aimed at boosting flu immunization, Huang said that in 1998 only 6.5 percent of the elderly reported side effects from the shots.
"Since Nov. 1, local governments have given free flu vaccines to the elderly at appointed hospitals," said Yan Jer-jea (顏哲傑), director of the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) Division of Immunization.
"However, for some reason, this year the number of flu vaccines given has been poor," Yan said.
"Perhaps the government has not done enough to promote the vaccination program or perhaps people are concerned about the side effects of the vaccines," Yan said.
Yan added that government research shows the vaccination's known side-effects included skin redness, swelling, itching and aches.
"But only a small percentage of people suffered these side effects, which are usually mild. The vaccines the government provides are very safe," Yang said.
Yan stressed that nobody has died or suffered severe side effects because of flu vaccinations since the government launched the program in 1991.
Professor Lee Chin-yun (
"Flu may cause complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, myocarditis and asthma attacks," Lee said.
In Taiwan, flu outbreaks can occur at any time and usually last for more than two months, according to Lee.
"Most developed countries have flu vaccination programs. However, only 78 percent of the population in Taiwan over the age of 65 has received a flu vaccination this year," Lee said.
"I am worried that severe respiratory infection cases amongst the elderly might increase as a result," Lee warned.
Foreigners who hold Taiwan nationality may receive the free vaccination, though those with just residential rights cannot.
The CDC said it would consider whether to accommodate these people into the flu vaccination program next year.
Meanwhile, Huang Li-min (
"Many parent and doctors are worried that flu vaccinations may have severe side effects for children suffering from pneumonia and asthma, but our research shows that this is not the case," Huang said.
Taiwan is to receive the first batch of Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 jets from the US late this month, a defense official said yesterday, after a year-long delay due to a logjam in US arms deliveries. Completing the NT$247.2 billion (US$7.69 billion) arms deal for 66 jets would make Taiwan the third nation in the world to receive factory-fresh advanced fighter jets of the same make and model, following Bahrain and Slovakia, the official said on condition of anonymity. F-16 Block 70/72 are newly manufactured F-16 jets built by Lockheed Martin to the standards of the F-16V upgrade package. Republic of China
Taiwan-Japan Travel Passes are available for use on public transit networks in the two countries, Taoyuan Metro Corp said yesterday, adding that discounts of up to 7 percent are available. Taoyuan Metro, the Taipei MRT and Japan’s Keisei Electric Railway teamed up to develop the pass. Taoyuan Metro operates the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport MRT Line, while Keisei Electric Railway offers express services between Tokyo’s Narita Airport, and the Keisei Ueno and Nippori stations in the Japanese capital, as well as between Narita and Haneda airports. The basic package comprises one one-way ticket on the Taoyuan MRT Line and one Skyliner ticket on
Many Japanese couples are coming to Taiwan to obtain donated sperm or eggs for fertility treatment due to conservatism in their home country, Taiwan’s high standards and low costs, doctors said. One in every six couples in Japan is receiving infertility treatment, Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare data show. About 70,000 children are born in Japan every year through in vitro fertilization (IVF), or about one in every 11 children born. Few people accept donated reproductive cells in Japan due to a lack of clear regulations, leaving treatment in a “gray zone,” Taichung Nuwa Fertility Center medical director Wang Huai-ling (王懷麟)
A new tropical storm formed late yesterday near Guam and is to approach closest to Taiwan on Thursday, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Tropical Storm Pulasan became the 14th named storm of the year at 9:25pm yesterday, the agency said. As of 8am today, it was near Guam traveling northwest at 21kph, it said. The storm’s structure is relatively loose and conditions for strengthening are limited, WeatherRisk analyst Wu Sheng-yu (吳聖宇) said on Facebook. Its path is likely to be similar to Typhoon Bebinca, which passed north of Taiwan over Japan’s Ryukyu Islands and made landfall in Shanghai this morning, he said. However, it
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