TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 疾管署) reported on Tuesday (Dec. 3) that flu-related severe cases and deaths have reached a decade-high, with 286 severe cases and 52 deaths. CDC spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui (曾淑慧) noted that while the flu season began in October, it has not yet peaked, which they expect by mid-December. Tseng urged the public to get vaccinated promptly.
Last week, 11 new flu-related deaths were reported. Epidemic prevention physician Lin Yung-ching (林詠青) highlighted that the youngest victim was a man in his 30s from northern Taiwan who had not received a flu vaccine. Lin stated that the cause of death was flu-related pneumonia and acute respiratory failure.
Approximately 71,000 people visited outpatient and emergency departments for flu-like symptoms last week, a number consistent with the previous week, the CDC reported. They continue to assess when to open access to publicly funded medications. Since Nov. 15, the CDC has implemented a reward program to increase flu vaccination rates among seniors and young children. By Dec. 2, about 553,000 vaccinations had been administered.
As of Dec. 3, approximately 5.438 million people have received the public flu vaccine, with a usage rate of 82.6%. The CDC urges high-risk groups, including seniors, children, and those with chronic illnesses, to complete their vaccinations quickly.
