The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter referred to as CDC) announced today (2/24) that in week 7 of this year (115) (2/15-2/21, during the Lunar New Year period), there were a total of 58,075 influenza-like outpatient and emergency visits. Additionally, during the Lunar New Year holiday (2/14-2/22) there were 5 new severe influenza complication cases and 2 death cases. Considering that the domestic influenza situation is trending downward and that the period before and after the holiday has not entered the epidemic season, the expanded eligibility for publicly funded influenza antiviral medication (hereafter referred to as public medication) will end on February 28 of this year, reverting to coverage only for reported severe influenza complication cases and patients with influenza-like illness who have high‑risk chronic diseases (see attachment), who can still use the public medication; meanwhile, the COVID‑19 vaccine rollout for the general public will be extended until April 30 of this year, and those who have not yet been vaccinated are urged to do so promptly to reduce the risk of infection and severe disease.
The CDC reminds that the global influenza positivity rate is currently decreasing, although neighboring South Korea and Japan have recently been at a high point. The predominant circulating strain worldwide is type A, and the proportion of type B influenza is rising. Domestically, as of February 23 this year, about 6.748 million doses of publicly funded influenza vaccine have been administered, leaving only about 80,000 doses nationwide. Seniors aged 65 and over and high‑risk groups with chronic diseases who have not yet been vaccinated should seize the opportunity. Currently, our country's public medication is allocated to approximately 4,000 contracted medical institutions nationwide planned by the health bureaus of each county and city (see the CDC website https://www.cdc.gov.tw or the CDC influenza‑COVID‑19 vaccine and medication map https://vaxmap.cdc.gov.tw/). If the public exhibits danger signs (such as rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, cyanosis, bloody sputum, chest pain, altered consciousness, low blood pressure, etc.), they should seek medical care promptly, and physicians should, based on the chief complaint and clinical judgment, assess whether the patient meets the criteria for public medication. If deemed eligible, the public medication can be prescribed without a rapid influenza test. Since influenza antiviral drugs are not covered by the National Health Insurance, the timing and necessity of publicly funded treatment remain at the physician’s discretion based on the patient’s condition and clinical expertise.
Meanwhile, the domestic COVID‑19 situation remains at a low fluctuating level; during the Lunar New Year holiday (2/14-2/22) there was one new severe domestic COVID‑19 case and one domestic death case. However, the global COVID‑19 positivity rate has risen slightly recently, with a notable increase in the Western Pacific region; neighboring China, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea are experiencing declines or stable trends, while New Zealand’s situation is rising and Europe remains at a low point. Globally, the XFG variant currently has the highest prevalence, whereas neighboring countries/regions such as China, Japan, and South Korea have a higher proportion of the NB.1.8.1 variant. Domestically, as of February 23 this year, about 1.662 million doses of COVID‑19 vaccine have been administered, including approximately 52,000 doses of the Novavax vaccine. The CDC noted that in response to the rising international COVID‑19 situation and considering that domestic summer seasons have seen COVID‑19 outbreaks in the past two years, to proactively prevent a possible summer surge and reduce the risk of severe disease and death after infection, the CDC proposed to the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Advisory Committee’s Immunization Working Group (ACIP) to extend the universal COVID‑19 vaccination campaign until April 30 of this year, urging people aged six months and older who have not yet received this season’s COVID‑19 vaccine to get vaccinated promptly to strengthen immune protection early.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled: Surveillance Management Office
