Taiwan Secures 150,000 Additional Flu Vaccine Doses Amid Shortage

The Taiwan government has announced the procurement of an additional 150,000 doses of free flu vaccines as the current supply is nearly depleted. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 90 percent of the existing stock has been administered, with the remaining doses expected to run out before the end of the year. The new vaccines will be available starting next month.

During the week of November 16 to November 25, 2023, there were 85,425 hospital visits for flu-like symptoms, marking a decrease of 10.1 percent from the previous week. Despite this decline, Tseng Shu-hui, Deputy Director-General of the CDC, reported that there were 25 severe flu cases and 12 flu-related deaths confirmed during the same period. With rising flu cases in neighboring countries such as Japan, South Korea, and China, as well as in Europe and North America, Tseng urged the public to remain vigilant.

One particularly severe case involved a man in his 20s from central Taiwan with a history of hypertension, heart failure, and kidney failure. He had not been vaccinated against the flu and exhibited symptoms that progressed from coughing and a runny nose to shortness of breath and fatigue. After being diagnosed with pulmonary infiltrates in both lungs and testing positive for influenza A, he was hospitalized for four days in an intensive care unit before being moved to a standard ward in stable condition.

Philip Lo, Director-General of the CDC, noted that a total of 6.68 million doses of government-funded flu vaccines have been purchased for this flu season. Of these, more than 6.12 million doses, or 91.7 percent, have already been administered. The coverage rate among the elderly population remains low at 47.6 percent, which is below the CDC’s target of at least 55 percent. Lo emphasized the importance of vaccination, especially with another wave of flu infections anticipated between January and February.

The newly procured vaccines will be distributed to local health departments around mid-December 2023. Lo encouraged individuals who are still considering vaccination to act promptly, suggesting this may be the last batch of government-funded vaccines available this season. Additionally, self-paid vaccines are expected to run out soon. With the inclusion of the new doses, the total vaccine purchases for this flu season will reach 6.829 million doses, setting a record high.

In a move to adapt to changing family structures, the CDC has also updated the eligibility requirements for government-funded flu and COVID-19 vaccines. The term “fathers and mothers of newborns under six months old” has been revised to “parents of newborns under six months old.” This change includes provisions for various living arrangements, allowing for greater inclusivity.

In related health concerns, the CDC reported that there were 11,893 hospital visits for enterovirus infections last week, surpassing the epidemic threshold. With cases on the rise, parents of young children are advised to be vigilant for signs of severe illness should their child become infected.