Chiayi City Calls for Vaccination to Combat Continuing Influenza Epidemic

[Reporter Liu Fangfei/Jiashi Report]After the mask policy was loosened, the Type A influenza epidemic continued to spread in the community. As most people have been vaccinated against influenza for more than 5 months, the protection of the vaccine has gradually declined. The CDC estimates that the influenza epidemic will continue to June. The main symptoms of influenza are fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat and cough, etc. A small number of patients may develop serious complications, such as pneumonia, encephalitis, myocarditis and other secondary infections or neurological diseases. High-risk groups include the elderly over 65 years old, infants, pregnant women, immunocompromised persons, and those with chronic diseases or BMI≧30.

The Chiayi City Health Bureau appeals to the public to maintain good personal hygiene habits and vaccinations to reduce the risk of severe illness. During the epidemic in the community, it is recommended to wear a mask when entering and leaving closed public places with many people, and clean hands before touching eyes, mouth, nose and eating. Hands, multiple protections to protect your health.

The course of influenza is progressing rapidly, and please seek medical attention as soon as possible if you have influenza-related symptoms. In response to the epidemic, the CDC has extended the extension of the conditions for the use of public-funded influenza antiviral drugs to “those who have influenza-like symptoms, and family members/colleagues/classmates who have influenza-like symptoms” until It will end on June 30 this year. The Health Bureau reminds the public that if there are dangerous signs such as dyspnea, shortness of breath, cyanosis (hypoxia), bloody sputum, chest pain, altered consciousness, and low blood pressure, they should go to a large hospital for medical treatment as soon as possible.

The protective power of the flu vaccine is about 6 months, and then it will gradually decline over time. The Chiayi City Government allows “people aged 6 months and above who have not received the flu vaccine after October 1, 2011” to visit the Xinsheng Clinic, Yeh Honggui Pediatric Clinic, Daxin Clinic, Huayang Clinic, Huang Sichao Pediatric Clinic, Chiayi East District and West District Health Centers and other contracted medical institutions received influenza vaccines. From now until June 30 or when the vaccine is exhausted, Chiayi City Government will give away an electronic thermometer to Chiayi citizens who are registered in this city and complete the flu vaccination (while stocks last). Please bring your “National Insurance Card and ID Card” to the contracted medical institution for influenza vaccination. For relevant vaccination information, please go to the website of the Health Bureau/Theme Area/Influenza Vaccine Area ( for inquiries.

〈Influenza epidemic continues, Jiashi Health Bureau calls for vaccination to prevent severe illness〉This article was first published in “Taiwan Good News》。