The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that immunization of middle school students against pandemic influenza A (H1N1) began on November 23, 2009.Approximately one hundred schools participate in the mass immunization campaign.About 90% of the students have agreed to receive the vaccine according to the retuned parental consent forms.The students will receive the vaccine according to the 6 steps for school children to get immunization: obtaining parental consent, confirming student identity, undergoing physician’s assessment, getting vaccinated and participating in 30-minute post-vaccination observation.

According to the latest surveillance data collected by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC), the influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate has shot up by 7%.The total number of classes suspended in the nation has reached 1, 095.CECC once again urged that immunization is the single best way to prevent pandemic influenza A (H1N1) and targeted groups should receive the vaccine as soon as possible to achieve herd immunity.Immunization of some targeted groups, including typhoon victims, health care and public health personnel, infants, pregnant women, pre-school children, people with major illness/injury, and elementary school students, has begun.