Influenza vaccinations exceed 3.15 million, and COVID-19 increases by nearly 40%! More than half of medical staff have received influenza vaccine

[Reporter Luo Bi/Reporting from Taipei] The "Left, Right, New" campaign started on October 1. It has been more than half a month since then. According to statistics from the Department of Disease Control and Prevention, 3.15 million doses of influenza vaccines have been administered, an increase of 15.8% over the same period last year; more than 980,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered, an increase of 39.7%. Among them, the influenza vaccination rate among medical staff has reached 55.5%. People who are eligible for vaccination should get vaccinated as early as possible to strengthen protection.

Lin Mingcheng, deputy director of the CDC, pointed out that CDC statistics show that from October 1 to 16 this year, a total of 3,151,137 doses of influenza vaccine were administered, which was more than the 2,721,826 doses administered in the same period last year; elderly people over 65 years old nationwide The vaccination rate reached 32.7%, with Pingtung County being the highest at 42.1%, Changhua County and Lianjiang County both at 42.0%, and Chiayi County at 40.7%. The above-mentioned four counties and cities all exceeded 40%; Penghu County was also leading the group at 39.8%.

As for preschool children, the national influenza vaccination rate is 31.8%, with Pingtung County having the highest rate of 41.3%, followed closely by Penghu County and Chiayi County, both at 40.3%.

Lin Mingcheng said that among all priority vaccination groups, the influenza vaccination rate of medical personnel has reached 55.5%. "The vaccination rate of these professionals who face the epidemic has surged. What should the public have to hesitate?"

As for some people who think that medical staff often come into contact with patients and have a higher risk of infection, Lin Mingcheng said that this is true, but it does not mean that it is safe not to go to hospitals and clinics. People may be exposed to pathogens in communities, stations, subways, churches, gyms, classrooms, restaurants and other places. Vaccination to improve immunity is the most effective protection. He also reminded that proper hand washing and wearing a mask in confined spaces or crowded places can reduce the risk of infection.

In terms of COVID-19 vaccines, a total of 988,347 doses were administered from October 1 to 16, an increase of 39.7% from 707,347 doses in the same period last year.