“Doctor warns of potential influenza outbreak as school children return from vacation”

Lin Yonghe: School children returning to school after vacation may cross-infect influenza

17/4/2023 10:05

Lin Yonghe, a member of the Scientific Committee on Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and a family doctor, said that most of the clinics were closed during the Easter holiday, the emergency department of the hospital was full, and many patients had upper respiratory tract infections. Continuing to rise, there are fears of an outbreak, and there may be cross-infection as school children return to school after the holidays.
Lin Yonghe pointed out in this program that the current flu vaccination rate is only 20% to 30% for those under the age of 5, and only 30% to 40% for those aged 65 or above. Spread by close-range droplets.
He pointed out that every year, hundreds of elderly people or young children are seriously ill or even die from influenza infection. The government launched a plan in October last year to subsidize citizens aged 6 months to 18 years old, and those over 50 years old to receive influenza vaccines, calling on high-risk citizens to get vaccinated as soon as possible. .