Taiwan expects up to 150,000 visits with flu symptoms — Taipei Times

In Taiwan, the number of outpatient and emergency visits for flu-like symptoms this week could range from 140,000 to 150,000. This forecast was released by Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control, Taipei Times reports.

Peak incidence this week

Centers for Disease Control Director-General Philip Lo said that elevated flu activity could persist until mid-November. At the same time, he forecast a significant decline after mid-October provided there is active vaccination coverage under the government’s influenza and COVID-19 vaccination program.

According to Lo, the recent Mid-Autumn Festival affected the number of outpatient visits, but the figures began to rise afterward. He added that vaccination could help bring the epidemic under control more quickly.

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Two stages of vaccination

Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang noted that autumn and winter are peak seasons for influenza and COVID-19. Elderly people, young children and people with high-risk chronic conditions face the highest risk of severe illness and death, he said.

This year, Taiwan purchased 7.05 million doses of influenza vaccines for the government program, marking the first time procurement has exceeded 7 million doses. Enhanced influenza vaccines will primarily be administered to people aged 65 and older living in long-term care facilities and nursing homes.

The first stage of the government vaccination program has already begun and covers, among others, people aged 65 and older, Indigenous people aged 55 and older, preschool children and pregnant women. From November 2, influenza and COVID-19 vaccines will also be available to people aged 50 and older who do not have high-risk chronic conditions.