This year’s government-funded seasonal influenza vaccination campaign is about to kick off on October 15, 2018. On September 30, the Director-General of Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC), Dr. Chou Jih-haw (周志浩) was invited to attend the “Fighting the Flu Takes Everyone-Let Me Protect You” event with TEDxAmbassador Luke Lee (李欣龍) and the President of the Rotary Club of Taipei Voyagers Winifred Tung (童文薰) to jointly urge the public to receive the influenza vaccination beginning October 15, 2018.

    TED is currently the world’s most popular platform for sharing creativity and knowledge; in 2017, the annual event TEDxGlobalDay was created. On this day, activities are held around the world, with participants discussing the world’s most urgent issues. With a common purpose to serve the community, this year, TEDxDaanPark and the Rotary Club of Taipei Voyagers proactively sought collaboration with Taiwan CDC, making seasonal influenza vaccination one of the TEDxGlobalDay’s topics for discussion. In addition, the Rotary Club had also planned to mobilize its branches in the nation and members to get vaccinated as an attempt to call on more people to receive the vaccination so as to ensure their own health and the health of others around them.

    During the event, Taiwan CDC Director-General Chou pointed out that Rotary Club members are not only the backbone of the society, but also the pillars of support to the family. According to the surveillance data compiled by Taiwan CDC, influenza complications are most common among the elderly aged above 65 and adults aged between 50 and 64. Influenza vaccination remains the most effective method for preventing infection. The slogan of this year’s government-funded seasonal influenza vaccination campaign is “Let Me Protect You”, urging everyone to get vaccinated and become protected against influenza. Taiwan CDC is very pleased to join TEDxDaanPark and the Rotary Club of Taipei Voyagers in the event to promote seasonal influenza vaccination and hopes that Rotary Club members can also encourage their family and friends to get flu shots. Taiwan CDC Director-General Chou, President Tung and an amateur hip-hop rapper also interacted with people via live streaming and presented a rap performance to raise people’s awareness of influenza vaccination in a fun and relaxing way.

    Taiwan CDC once again stresses that influenza epidemic usually escalates around November in Taiwan, and reaches its peak by the end of the year and around the Chinese New Year. Influenza infection can lead to the development of severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, myocarditis, and even death. Getting vaccinated is the most effective way to ward off influenza. Adults aged above 50, at-risk individuals with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, preschool infants and children aged above 6 months are advised to get vaccinated as soon as possible once the vaccination campaign starts in order to ensure protection against influenza throughout the influenza season.