TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan is seeing a rise in severe flu cases this year as the pandemic subsides and mask mandates are eased.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 14 severe flu cases had already been tallied as of Dec. 3, a huge leap from the zero cases reported last year.
Even though the current flu shots are efficient against strains of H3N2 and H1N1, the fast-changing pace of virus variants is still hard to predict.
The Secretary-general of The Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan, Dr. Huang Chien-hsien, remarked that if variants do not match exactly those used in the vaccines, it's likely that the virus may become more widespread within the community.
In addition, experts warn that as mask mandates are eased, Taiwan will likely see a surge in flu cases without the added protection.
"Without the protection of face masks, respiratory tract infections, including influenza will have a higher transmission rate," Huang said.
"Therefore, this year we need to strengthen flu vaccinations."
Taiwan has purchased around 6.29 million influenza vaccines this year and has since bought 110,000 more, just in case.
As both COVID-19 vaccines and flu vaccines can be received around the same time, health officials are urging the public to get their shots for more added protection this winter.
