Since this year’s government-funded seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination campaign was launched on October 1, 2016, over 5.22 million doses of the allotted 6 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccines have been administered as of November 27. In other words, over 87% of the allotted vaccines have been used. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced on November 29, 2016 that the remaining government-funded influenza vaccine would be made available for all citizens in order to maximize the efficacy of the vaccine before the influenza season. Hence, people who have not received the vaccine are urged to get vaccinated in order to ensure their own health and the health of others. In addition, to minimize the impact of potential influenza outbreaks on the public, Taiwan CDC has decided to expand the target population for the government-funded influenza antiviral drug use to include family members/coworkers/classmates of confirmed influenza cases who display influenza-like illness (ILI) from December 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017.

As most of this year’s dominant influenza virus strains match the vaccine virus strains, getting vaccinated can significantly boost one’s immunity against influenza. After the government-funded influenza vaccine is made available for all citizens on December 1, it is expected the vaccine will be depleted in some cities and counties within 1 to 2 weeks’ time. Therefore, the public is urged to get vaccinated at any of the over 3,700 contracted hospitals, clinics, local health departments, and vaccination stations in the community as soon as possible before the supply is depleted. On the other hand, Taiwan CDC has dispatched government-funded influenza antiviral drugs, including Relenza and Tamiflu, to over 3,000 contracted healthcare facilities in the nation. Physicians are urged to heighten vigilance for patients with influenza and timely prescribe government-funded influenza antiviral drugs to eligible patients without the use of a rapid influenza diagnostic test in order to ensure prompt treatment, prevent further transmission of the disease, and reduce the occurrence of severe cases and deaths. To look up the contracted hospitals and clinics that offer government-funded influenza vaccines and influenza antiviral drugs near you, please visit: https://antiflu.cdc.gov.tw/.

In the past, the expanded target population for the government-funded influenza antiviral drugs included patients with influenza-like illness who have a fever longer than 48 hours. Nevertheless, during the Communicable Disease Prevention Committee Meeting jointly held by the Influenza Prevention Team and Immunization Team on November 8, 2016, it was decided that the use of self-paid influenza antiviral drugs or supportive treatment for this group of patients will be determined by the physician.

Influenza season usually starts in December and reaches its peak in the followingChinese New Year Holiday. Taiwan CDC reminds the public to remain vigilant as influenza is highly contagious. People of all ages can become infected and develop severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, myocarditis, secondary infection, neurological symptoms, and even death. Since influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection, the public is urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible to ensure sufficient protection before the Chinese New Year Holiday next year. If signs of severe complications such as breathing difficulty, shortness of breath, cyanosis, blood-stained mucus or thickening of mucus, chest pain, change of consciousness, or low blood pressure develop, please seek immediate medical attention to ensure prompt treatment and follow the doctor’s instructions in taking the influenza antiviral drugs. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).