Influenza activity in Taiwan has continued to decline. The number of severe influenza cases reported has continued to gradually decrease after reaching its peak on February 22, 2016. In addition, the number of patients seeking care for influenza-like illness at the emergency department has also continued to lower. Moreover, there has been an increase in the number of respiratory specimens tested positive for influenza virus type B. Although influenza B viruses are associated with milder illness than influenza A viruses, the public is still urged to remain vigilant.

Taiwan CDC points out that influenza activity in Taiwan usually begins to increase in October and declinesin March the following year. Both influenza A viruses and influenza B viruses circulate in Taiwan every year. As of now, influenza viruses detected in Taiwan have not shown changes and mutations and none of the viruses identified has shown drug resistance. In the beginning of this year, approximately 30% of the total influenza patients were infected with influenza B viruses. During the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, most reported cases were infected with influenza A viruses, resulting in an increase in the number of severe cases. Currently, about half of the influenza patients are infected with influenza A viruses and the other half are infected with influenza B viruses, indicating the peak of severe cases caused by influenza A viruses has passed and the decrease in the number of mild cases reported willbe slowed.

To facilitate influenza vaccinations for the elderly, each year local health authorities arrange influenza vaccination activities for residents and work staff at nursing homes, long-termcare facilities, and welfare and service centers for the disabled with the help of the social welfare department and the Veterans Affairs Council. This influenza season, a total of over 2,000 facilities have carried out the vaccination activities. Over 80% of the facilities reached above 80% vaccination coverage. On top of that, for the disabled and the disadvantaged elders, local health authorities also offer home visiting vaccination service. Overall, besides setting up 3,500 contracted vaccine providers in the nation, the local health authorities also set up vaccination stations in the community to provide influenza vaccination to the public.

As the vaccine supply is depleting, the number of providers with influenza vaccine supply is decreasing.Hence, individuals eligible for the government-funded influenza vaccine are advised to first look up the contracted vaccine providers in the nation on the Taiwan CDC’s website and call the provider ahead to ensure vaccine availability before visiting the provider for vaccination. For further assistance inlocating a provider with the vaccine supply, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).