2026/10/04 14:00
Ma Ruishan, director of the Department of Pediatrics at Changhua Hospital of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said that elders and patients with chronic diseases who plan to go abroad are best to get vaccinated two weeks in advance to allow protection to take hold before going abroad. (Photo by reporter Chen Guanbei)
[Reporter Chen Guanbei/Changhua Report] Seasons change, the weather changes from cold to hot, and the flu virus is also ready to move! This year's influenza epidemic not only reported early, but has also spread all the way from midsummer to the present day. Changhua County has gone into communities to administer influenza and COVID-19 vaccines to the elderly over 65 years old on the 2nd. There were queues at Mingsheng Temple in Puxin Township early in the morning. Doctors remind that Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong are in the period of influenza epidemics. Elderly people and patients with chronic diseases who are planning to go abroad for "walking around" should get vaccinated 2 weeks in advance to allow protection to take hold before going abroad.
Publicly funded influenza vaccinations will begin on October 1. In addition to arranging vaccinations at contracted medical institutions and health clinics, the Changhua County Health Bureau will also set up stations in communities starting from the 2nd. On the first day of community vaccination, Mingsheng Palace in Puxin Township was crowded with elders early in the morning, and the queue extended outside Miaocheng Square. 70-year-old Ms. Huang said that her immune system is weaker as she gets older, and she often hears about people getting the flu recently. "Take it early and feel at ease early."
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There was a queue early in the morning at Mingsheng Temple in Puxin Township. (Provided by Changhua Hospital)
Ma Ruishan, director of the Department of Pediatrics at Changhua Hospital of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said that there have been many clinical flu patients in recent weeks, mostly type A influenza. According to data from the Department of Disease Control and Prevention, type A H1N1 currently accounts for 87.7% of the viruses circulating in the community. Most severe cases are among the elderly over 65 years old and patients with chronic diseases.
Ma Ruishan pointed out that this year's influenza is quite abnormal. It began to spread in the hot summer of July and has hardly stopped significantly. Sudden high fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches, and extreme fatigue are common after infection, and may also be accompanied by symptoms such as cough and sore throat. Children are more likely to suffer from vomiting and diarrhea.
It has recently coincided with the peak season for overseas travel. Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong are in the influenza epidemic period, and the epidemic situation in China and Singapore is also on the rise. Ma Ruishan reminded that it takes about 2 weeks after vaccination to develop protection. If the elderly and patients with chronic diseases have plans to go abroad, it is best to "take the vaccine before flying" to reduce the risk of infection or even serious illness during the journey.
Ma Ruishan also said that it is clinically common for young children to be infected and then pass it on to their parents and grandparents, and eventually the whole family is infected. Therefore, young children who are eligible for public funding should also be vaccinated as early as possible; if they suddenly have a high fever, general weakness or severe vomiting, they should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
