Taiwan sees surge in flu vaccinations after actress Barbie Hsu's death

Taipei, Feb. 5 (CNA) Demand for influenza vaccines has surged in Taiwan following the recent death of actress Barbie Hsu (徐熙媛) due to flu-related complications, with less than 100,000 government-funded flu shots remaining as of Wednesday.

Hsu, 48, died of pneumonia on Feb. 2 after contracting influenza while on a trip to Japan during the Lunar New Year holiday last week.

After news of Hsu's death made headlines in Taiwan on Monday, approximately 40,000 and 73,000 government-funded flu shots were administered that day and the following day, respectively, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

By comparison, a daily average of 24,700 government-funded influenza vaccinations were given between Jan. 1 to 20, CDC data showed.

CDC Deputy Director-General Tseng Shu-huai (曾淑慧) told the press that while only 90,000 doses of government-funded influenza vaccines remain as of Wednesday, vaccine manufacturers across Taiwan still have a total inventory of about 400,000 self-paid doses, excluding stocks at various medical institutions.

Regarding the possibility of buying additional flu vaccines, Tseng said that the CDC was still evaluating the overall situation.

Chang Feng-yee (張峰義), president of the Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan, said that flu outbreaks typically peak at the beginning of each year, noting that at this time of the year, "most people who need it [a flu shot] should have already received it."

However, the death of Hsu has heightened public awareness of flu prevention, prompting members of the public to get vaccinated, he added.

Chang, who used to serve as the head of the CDC, said that the agency's procurement of vaccine follows a planned approach, with careful calculations for supply and distribution. Emergency procurement is unlikely unless a sudden global outbreak of a new flu strain occurs, he added.

Chang also said that the current flu season is not the most severe in the past decade and does not warrant a national emergency.

As vaccine distribution is typically completed around this time of year, "it's quite difficult [for the CDC] to procure additional batches at this point," he added.

Meanwhile, for self-paid flu vaccines, Chang said that "vaccination requires early planning," explaining that most clinics begin asking their regular patients around September if they want to register in advance to get self-paid flu vaccines.

Without prior registration, medical institutions are reluctant to stock large quantities of flu shots due to the risk of financial losses if demand is low, he said.

For those who missed this round of vaccination, Chang reminded them that flu vaccines must be renewed annually and the next season's doses will arrive around October. Chang urged unvaccinated individuals to get a flu shot promptly once the new doses become available.