TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Pediatrician Hsieh Tsung-hsueh (謝宗學) on Wednesday (Jan. 8) warned that the flu season has officially begun, raising concerns about increased transmission risks as the Lunar New Year approaches. He urged the public to complete flu vaccinations promptly to avoid a repeat of the 2016 outbreak that overwhelmed emergency rooms.
Hsieh noted a significant rise in flu cases since last week, with reports of cluster infections among families, friends, and school classes. He highlighted the long holiday this year, which extends the period for potential cross-infections and coincides with extended medical facility closures, heightening the risk of an uncontrollable outbreak during the festive period.
Hsieh emphasized that individuals over six months old are eligible for government-funded flu vaccines. He explained that the vaccine takes two weeks to provide protection, making this week the last chance to vaccinate before the holiday. He also stressed that the elderly and young children, being at higher risk for severe illness, should prioritize vaccination, noting that influenza is more terrifying than COVID-19.
Reflecting on the 2016 outbreak, Hsieh recalled long wait times of 6-8 hours for non-severe pediatric emergency cases. He hopes for proactive measures this year. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 疾管署) confirmed the start of the flu season and reported that as of Monday, approximately 137,000 people have received the flu vaccine, 3.3 times higher than the previous year.
The CDC urged high-risk groups, including those over 65, young children, and chronic disease patients, to complete flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to reduce severe illness and death risks, ensuring a healthy and safe holiday.