Starting from October 1, this year’s publicly funded flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available to Tainan residents. As autumn and winter are peak seasons for respiratory illnesses, Mayor Huang Wei-che encourages citizens to get vaccinated promptly to protect their own health and that of their families.
The Mayor emphasized that vaccination helps lower the disease rate, thereby reducing the likelihood of class closures and easing concerns among parents and the elderly. Vaccinations should be administered yearly for optimal protection since epidemic strains vary each year. High-risk groups, such as seniors, pregnant women, and young children, should receive the shots as soon as possible.
Tainan City’s Public Health Bureau shared data from the CDC showing that during week 39 (Sep. 21-27), nationwide outpatient and emergency room visits for influenza-like illness reached 129,831, marking a 10.2% increase over the previous week and signifying the flu season has begun. During the same period, the number of outpatient visits with influenza-like symptoms in Tainan City was 11,096. Most deaths occurred among the elderly, chronically ill, or unvaccinated people over the age of 65, indicating that the threat of the pandemic should not be taken lightly.
The Public Health Bureau reminds the public that, alongside vaccinations, schools, kindergartens, afterschool institutions, and childcare facilities should continue to carry out epidemic prevention measures. Anyone feeling unwell should refrain from attending work or classes. Frequent handwashing, wearing face masks, covering coughs, and seeking prompt medical attention are also strongly advised. For more vaccination information, please visit the Public Health Bureau website or register through the Tainan Vaccination Appointment System (https://health-reservation.tainan.gov.tw/). Vaccinations are provided on-call at health centers in all 37 districts, contracted medical institutions, and community vaccination stations throughout the city.