讀後心得

The spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control, 曾淑慧, stated that the domestic influenza epidemic has exited the epidemic period and is continuing to cool down. Last week, approximately 110,000 outpatient visits for influenza-like illness were reported, with 24 new cases of severe illness and 11 deaths. Although the COVID-19 pandemic remains low, the number of cases is gradually increasing, with 7 new cases of severe illness and 1 death 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 reminded everyone to pay attention to the prevention of respiratory diseases. Additionally, starting April 8, individuals aged 65 and older and high-risk groups will be eligible to receive a second dose of the JN.1 vaccine.

The spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated on the 25th that the domestic flu epidemic has exited the epidemic period, and the outbreak continues to decrease. Although the COVID-19 situation remains at a low fluctuation, it has gradually risen in the past three weeks, with continuing 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 cases and death.

According to data from the CDC, there were approximately 110,000 visits to flu-like illness outpatient services last week, with emergency cases accounting for 11.4%, which is equivalent to the epidemic threshold. That week saw 24 new severe cases and 11 deaths. Evaluations indicate a declining trend in the flu epidemic, which has now exited the epidemic period.

Statistics show that from October 1 of last year to March 24 of this year, there have been a total of 1,176 severe flu cases in this flu season, of which 58% are aged 65 and older, with a cumulative death toll of 265 cases. Tseng Shuhui also reminded everyone that recent temperature changes are significant, with obvious day and night temperature fluctuations; the public must continue to pay attention to the prevention of respiratory diseases and the risk of severe complications from influenza.

Moreover, the extended use of government-funded antiviral medications for influenza will be valid until March 31, after which the use of government-funded medications for reporting severe flu complications and flu-like patients with high-risk chronic diseases must resume.

In terms of the COVID-19 situation, although it remains at a low fluctuation, there continues to be new severe cases, with 7 new severe cases and 1 death reported last week. Since September of last year, there have been a total of 529 severe COVID-19 cases, with 113 deaths, mainly concentrated in individuals aged 65 and older and those with chronic illnesses, with more than 96% of the severe cases being unvaccinated with the JN.1 vaccine.

Tseng Shuhui pointed out that the COVID-19 situation has shown a gradual upward trend, and the virus strains continue to mutate. In the past four weeks of local cases, the primary detected virus strain has been XEC, followed by KP.3.1.1, JN.1, and LP.8.1. Currently, the JN.1 vaccine provides protection against these variants.

Starting from April 8, the CDC will open additional second dose vaccinations of the JN.1 vaccine for individuals aged 65 and older, as well as high-risk groups such as those who are immunocompromised or have low immunity, which can be administered six months after the previous dose, with an estimated 1 million people to benefit. Additionally, the current Novavax vaccine will expire on April 5, so it is urged that those who have not yet received the JN.1 vaccine and have the need go for vaccination promptly.