The second stage of Taiwan's public flu vaccine program began on Wednesday, targeting adults aged 50 to 64 with no high-risk chronic diseases.
Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan (薛瑞元) says that Taipei and other cities are lagging in vaccination rates. He says counties and cities should step up their efforts and encourage the implementation of vaccination. He added that eligible people should get vaccinated as soon as possible because flu season is approaching.
As for the number of domestic dengue fever cases in Taiwan, which has exceeded 20,000, Hsueh says that the weather this year is slightly warmer, and the epidemic is declining at a slower pace. However, he says that the temperature is predicted to drop in the coming week which should reduce the activity of mosquitoes. He hopes that coupled with the ministry’s prevention strategies, this will help to control the epidemic.