讀後心得

The spokesperson of the Centers for Disease Control, 曾淑慧, announced on the 25th that the domestic influenza epidemic has moved out of the epidemic phase, with recent outpatient visits stabilizing at the epidemic threshold. Although the COVID-19 pandemic remains at a low fluctuation, there has been a gradual increase over the past three weeks, along with new severe cases. She urged the public to get vaccinated with the JN.1 vaccine as soon as possible to reduce the risk of severe illness and death. This influenza season has reported a total of 1,167 severe cases and 265 deaths, primarily concentrated among those aged 65 and older. The Centers for Disease Control will open the second dose of the JN.1 vaccine for high-risk groups starting April 8, and it reminds the public to continue to pay attention to preventive measures for respiratory diseases.

The spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated that the domestic influenza epidemic has exited the epidemic phase, and the recent situation continues to ease. As for the COVID-19 pandemic, although it is still fluctuating at a low level, it has gradually increased over the past three weeks, with additional severe cases reported. She urged the public to get vaccinated with the JN.1 vaccine as soon as possible to reduce the risk of severe illness and death.

According to the latest announcement, approximately 110,000 visits for flu-like symptoms were recorded at emergency departments last week, with emergency visit cases accounting for 11.4%, which is comparable to the epidemic threshold; there were 24 new severe cases and 11 new deaths last week. The spokesperson pointed out that based on a comprehensive assessment of emergency visit numbers, severe influenza cases, and laboratory surveillance, the current influenza epidemic shows a downward trend and has exited the epidemic phase.

• This flu season, from October 1 of last year to March 24 of this year, has accumulated 1,176 severe cases, with 58% being seniors aged 65 and above.
• The total number of death cases is 265.

She reminded everyone that with recent significant temperature fluctuations, the public still needs to remain vigilant and continue to pay attention to preventive measures for respiratory diseases and the risk of severe complications from influenza. Furthermore, the expanded use of publicly funded antiviral medications for influenza will end on March 31, reverting to only allowing public-funded medications for reported cases of severe influenza complications or flu patients with high-risk chronic diseases.

Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, it is still at a low fluctuation but continues to see new severe cases; last week, there were 7 new severe cases and 1 death, totaling 529 severe COVID-19 cases from September of last year to now, with 113 deaths, primarily among seniors aged 65 and above and those with a chronic disease history, with 96% of those not vaccinated with the JN.1 vaccine.

She pointed out that in the past three weeks, there has been a slight upward trend in COVID-19 cases, with the virus continuously mutating. In the last four weeks, local cases were predominantly of the XEC variant, followed by KP.3.1.1, JN.1, and LP.8.1. The JN.1 vaccine currently provides protection against these variants.

The CDC will start offering a second dose of the JN.1 vaccine to seniors aged 65 and above and high-risk groups such as the immunocompromised on April 8, with a six-month interval from the previous dose, benefiting an estimated 1 million people. As for the existing Novavax vaccine, its effectiveness will expire in two weeks and will be valid until April 5, thus urging those who have not yet received the JN.1 vaccine and have the need to get vaccinated as soon as possible.