TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The death of renowned actress Barbie Hsu (大S) from flu-related pneumonia has sparked a rush for vaccines across Taiwan. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 疾管署) reported on Wednesday (Feb. 5) that only about 100,000 government-funded vaccines remain.
Queues at health centers and clinics surged Tuesday, with nearly 40,000 flu vaccines administered in a single day, marking a two-month high. As crowds gathered at clinics and health centers nationwide, the CDC stressed that while the decision to purchase more government-funded vaccines remains under evaluation, approximately 400,000 self-paid vaccines are available.
Officials urged prioritizing high-risk groups to be vaccinated first, such as the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.
The CDC's investigation revealed that outpatient visits for flu-like symptoms during the fourth week of January and the Lunar New Year reached 162,000 and 91,000, respectively, with the former being the highest in nearly a decade.
Doctors warn that the flu poses a severe risk to the elderly, those with chronic conditions, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms like high fever, fatigue, and muscle pain can escalate to severe complications, such as pneumonia and myocarditis.
Ding Yi-fang (丁義芳), an otolaryngologist at Wanfang Hospital (萬芳醫院), emphasized the immune response triggered by high fever during flu infections. Meanwhile, Wanfang Hospital's deputy director, Chiang Chen-yuan (江振源), highlighted symptoms like severe fatigue and rapid breathing as indicators of potential severe illness.
Doctors stress the importance of flu vaccination to reduce the risk of severe illness. They advise seeking early medical attention and antiviral treatment if symptoms arise, warning that they could be fatal.
