The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) held a media event called “Protect Your Loved Ones” on Monday to kick off a government-funded flu vaccination program. During the press event, Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung, Taiwan CDC Director-General Chou Jih-haw, Taiwan CDC Deputy Director-General Chuang Jen-hsiang, and disease prevention campaign ambassador Eddie Pan were inoculated on the spot. So were twin infants and an expectant mother, who are among the target groups for vaccination. Taiwan CDC urges eligible groups to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and their families by gaining full immunity prior to the flu season. 

Taiwan CDC said that the target groups for this year’s vaccination campaign remained the same as those published in 2019. Like last year, 6 million vaccine doses were procured, enough for 25.5% of Taiwan’s population. Members of the public eligible for government-funded shots should get vaccinated as soon as possible. More information is available on Taiwan CDC’s website.

Minister Chen said that the flu season is just around the corner, even as the global trajectory of COVID-19 remains unclear. The symptoms of influenza and COVID-19 are similar, and it is possible to catch both at the same time. In addition, a severe flu outbreak could place an extra burden on Taiwan’s medical system. Flu vaccination can lower the risk of infection and reduce unnecessary medical consultations. All eligible persons are advised to get vaccinated early to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Disease prevention campaign ambassador Eddie Pan said that although he is in the fitness business and exercises routinely, he has frequent close contact with people at work. He also has a seven-year-old daughter at home. Therefore, he pays special attention to his physical health. To lower the risk of transmission within the family, he and his daughter both have been getting vaccinated in recent years.

Taiwan CDC reminds the public that it takes about two weeks after vaccination before the body develops antibodies against the flu. Immunity lasts for about a year. As flu viruses are prone to mutations, every flu season, there are slightly different virus strains in circulation. To ensure protection, people eligible for government-funded shots should get vaccinated each year. To learn more about flu vaccination, prevention or treatment, visit Taiwan CDC’s website at https://www.cdc.gov.tw, or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline at 1922 (or 0800-001922).