The Taiwan Center for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) points out influenza outbreaks have occurred in several countries in Europe, including the UK, Norway, Finland and Italy based on the information provided by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).On the other hand, influenza activity is also on the rise in the US.As the holiday travel season is fast approaching and only 150 thousand doses of influenza vaccine remain, Taiwan CDC urges the public to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza in order to ensure their health during the holiday.

Taiwan CDC stresses that an increase in global influenza activity has been noted and a total of 648 severe flu cases have been confirmed in Taiwan since July, 2010.Based on the past experience, influenza activity in Taiwan tends to spike during the Christmas holiday and peaks around the Chinese New Year following Christmas.This year, due to La Niña, significant temperature change and extreme climate change have occurred this winter.Taiwan CDC reminds the public under such weather conditions, the influenza activity is bound to spike and getting vaccinated against the virus is the most effective way to protect their health.

Taiwan CDC further points out that the increasing influenza activity in Europe is led by an increase in the UK. Thus far, 11 countries in Europe have been affected by influenza.The UK Health Protection Agency (HPA) has announced that they are currently facing the most severe influenza outbreak in the UK in a decade.Over 300 influenza cases are currently being treated at the intensive care units. UK HPA urges high risk groups for influenza, especially pregnant women, to get vaccinated as soon as possible.Further, local cluster outbreaks have occurred in Norway and regional outbreaks have occurred in Finland and Italy.

Taiwan CDC reminds the public that seasonal influenza vaccine is rather safe and receiving the vaccine can effectively reduce infection.Over 94% of the government-funded vaccines have been administered.Taiwan CDC urges the public to receive the vaccine in order to protect their own health and the health of their family.

For more information concerning seasonal influenza vaccination, please visit the Taiwan CDC's website: http://www.cdc.gov.tw/ or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922.