52 people died from severe influenza in Kaohsiung this year. 1,316 elders have been vaccinated with the first booster vaccine

Vaccination status of the elderly in institutions or institutions. (Provided by Kaohsiung City Health Bureau)

[Reporter Xu Lijuan/Kaohsiung Report] A total of 204 severe cases of influenza have been reported in Kaohsiung City this year, 52 of which died. Elderly people over 65 years old accounted for the most (64.2%). In response to the deterioration of immune function and the risk of severe influenza in the elderly, The Agency for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health and Welfare purchased more than 200,000 doses of enhanced influenza vaccine for the first time this year, giving priority to free vaccination for residents over 65 years old in long-term care and nursing homes. Kaohsiung purchased 20,000 doses, and more than 70% of the elderly have been vaccinated in 74 institutions in the city.

The Kaohsiung City Health Bureau pointed out that the enhanced influenza vaccine can strengthen the protection of the elderly. There are 1,758 residents over 65 years old in 74 institutions in Kaohsiung City. 1,316 people have chosen to receive the enhanced influenza vaccine, accounting for 74.86%. At the same time, we call on the elderly in institutions who are eligible but have not yet been vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible to establish protection as early as possible and reduce the risk of severe illness and death after influenza infection.

The Health Bureau stated that for the first time this year, the CDC introduced two types of booster influenza vaccines, high-dose and adjuvanted, which increase the immune response by increasing the antigen dose by four times or adding adjuvants respectively. Compared with the standard vaccine, the protection against severe illness can be increased by about 25 to 30%, helping to reduce the risk of serious complications in the elderly after infection.

So far, Kaohsiung City has vaccinated more than 517,000 people with influenza vaccine and more than 160,000 people with COVID-19 vaccine. However, the influenza vaccine vaccination rate for seniors over 65 years old is 38.33%, and the COVID-19 vaccine vaccination rate is 21.79%. There are still many high-risk elderly people who have not completed the vaccination. The Health Bureau calls on community elders to receive the publicly funded standard influenza vaccine as soon as possible. In addition, the second phase of publicly funded influenza and COVID-19 vaccination will be available from November 2, adding adults aged 50 to 64 without high-risk chronic diseases. Eligible people can go online to the "Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccine Contract Hospital Area (https://gov.tw/SWK)" to check the vaccination location.