The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said it expects influenza activity in the upcoming Lunar New Year holidays to be relatively low compared with most years, but people with a higher risk of severe illness from infection are still advised to get vaccinated for better protection.
CDC Deputy Director-General and spokesman Lin Min-cheng (林明誠) on Tuesday said flu activity remained at a relatively low level last week, which is “rare” for this time of the year, although there were 16 severe flu cases and six flu-related deaths confirmed last week.
CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Deputy Director Lee Chia-lin (李佳琳) said that respiratory virus surveillance data showed that flu viruses were the most commonly detected viruses in the past four weeks, and that the influenza A (H3N2) virus was the dominant strain in the period.
Photo: CNA
There were 83,851 hospital visits for flu-like illnesses last week, about the same level as the previous week, she said, adding that the weekly number was below the epidemic threshold.
Among the 16 severe cases, 13 were unvaccinated in this flu season (beginning on Oct. 1), and among the six deaths, all had chronic illnesses and five were unvaccinated in this flu season, Lee said.
Globally, flu activity is rising, with nearby countries, including China, Japan and South Korea, at high levels, and rising activity reported in Europe, the US and Canada, she added.
Although the weekly case number was below the epidemic threshold and lower than the same period in most years, vaccination is still the best way to reduce risks of severe illness or death from infection, especially for people in high-risk groups, Lin said.
As of Monday, 6.547 million doses of government-funded flu vaccines had been administered this flu season, and there were only about 280,000 doses remaining, so eligible recipients are advised to get vaccinated as early as possible before they run out, he said.
Asked about possible reasons for relatively low-level flu activity in recent weeks, CDC Director-General Philip Lo (羅一鈞) said it is mainly because there was a rare wave of infections earlier in autumn this year, adding that the government-funded vaccination coverage is exceptionally high — the highest in a decade — this flu season.
As seasonal flu activity usually peaks around the Lunar New Year holidays in Taiwan, he said the centers expect flu cases in the holidays in February to be lower than previous years.
Meanwhile, the CDC also announced that from Thursday next week to the end of next month, 3,000 doses of a four-valent meningococcal conjugate vaccine would be made free at travel medicine clinics at 32 contracted hospitals.
People who are visiting countries where meningococcal meningitis is spreading could bring their National Health Insurance card and passport to book an appointment at designated travel medicine clinics, and get vaccinated after a physician assesses their risks, Lin said.
After getting vaccinated, they can also apply for an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (often called the “yellow card”), which is NT$210 for the initial issuance or NT$160 for each additional reissuance, the CDC said.
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