Taiwan to roll out flu vaccines Oct. 1 as epidemic persists

Taipei, Sept. 24 (CNA) Taiwan's publicly funded influenza vaccination program will begin as scheduled on Oct. 1, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) said Thursday, warning that the current flu epidemic could continue into November.

In a report delivered at a weekly Cabinet meeting, the MOHW said the number of people seeking medical attention for influenza-like illnesses this season had reached a 10-year high for this time of year.

Although the number of cases plateaued last week and is expected to decline gradually, the epidemic could continue into November, the ministry said.

The ministry said it had purchased a record 7.05 million doses of influenza vaccine, including 200,000 doses of enhanced vaccines that offer greater protection.

The enhanced vaccines will be prioritized for people aged 65 and older living in long-term care facilities.

Taiwan is the first country in Asia to make enhanced influenza vaccines available through a publicly funded program, the ministry said.

Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said at a post-meeting news conference that Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) had instructed the MOHW to work with local governments to closely monitor the spread of influenza.

Cho also urged the public to receive both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines to protect their health, Lee said.

The premier instructed the ministry to promote influenza vaccination in conjunction with the health token incentive program, which will also launch Oct. 1, while strengthening risk communication and health education, according to Lee.

Cho also directed the Ministry of Education to ensure that schools and child care institutions implement influenza prevention measures and that schools help carry out on-campus vaccination programs, Lee said.

The first stage of the publicly funded vaccination program, beginning Oct. 1, will be open to medical professionals; people aged 65 and older; Indigenous people aged 55 and older; people living in long-term care facilities and their staff; children aged 6 months through preschool age; pregnant women; and people with preexisting conditions, including chronic illnesses.

Also eligible in the first stage are parents or caregivers of infants under 6 months old; child care workers; students from elementary school through high school and junior college; poultry and livestock workers; and animal quarantine personnel.

The second stage, beginning Nov. 2, will be open to people aged 50 and older.