According to the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC), after the 2013-2014 seasonal influenza vaccination campaign was launched on October 1, 2013, the vaccination rate among the 3- to 6-year-old cohort has been the lowest among all the target populations. Nevertheless, according to the surveillance data compiled by Taiwan CDC, the 3- to 6-year-old cohort is at the second highest risk of developing influenza-associated complications, just under the population aged 50 and above. Taiwan CDC once again stresses that influenza infection poses a serious threat to the health and wellbeing of young children and the importance of timely influenza vaccination to ensure the health of the children. Taiwan CDC urges parents to get children aged between 3 and 6 vaccinated against influenza in order to ensure adequate immunity as the influenza season picks up.

Influenza activity in Taiwan has continued to increase. Both the ER consultation rate for influenza-like illness and the positive rate of influenza virus in the community have significantly increased from that reported in the previous week. According to the data submitted by the contracted hospitals and clinics, the number of doses of influenza vaccine administered has reached over 2.77 million, accounting for 95% of the total doses available. In addition, local health authorities have noted a significant increase in the number of people getting influenza vaccine. However, parents of children aged between 3 and 6 still seem reluctant to get their children vaccinated. Although this is the first time Taiwan CDC introduced the second dose of influenza vaccine to children below 9 years of age, as of January 6, 2014, the vaccination rate among the 3- to 6-year-old cohort had still only increased slightly.  

As vaccination remains the single most effective way to prevent influenza infection, Taiwan CDC urges parents to get their children influenza vaccines in order to prevent infection. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Care Hotline, 1922, or 0800-001922 if calling from a cell phone.