Department of Health, Taipei City Government

1. Why should people get vaccinated against the flu?

Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. Department of Health, Taipei City Government estimates that most cases of severe complicated influenza don’t get vaccination. An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce your risk of getting sick with seasonal flu and spreading it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.

2. Who should get vaccinated？

1. Children and adolescents aged 6 months through 18 years old.
2. People aged 50 years old and older.
3. Individuals with chronic medical conditions, including those with BMI≧30, rare diseases, or major illness/injury.
4. Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy and parents up to 6 months after newborn delivery.
5. Caregivers of children in kindergartens and childcare institutions.
6. People who are residents and employees of nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
7. Health care and public health personnel.
8. Poultry farmers and animal health inspectors.

Vaccination of above populations ( high risk persons) is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.

3. When should people get vaccinated?

1. It’s best to get vaccinated before flu begins spreading. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against flu. The best time to receive flu vaccines is from October onwards.
2. Children less than 8 years old who get first vaccination need two doses of vaccine to be protected should start the vaccination process sooner, because the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart.

4. Where should people get vaccinated?

Department of Health, Taipei City Government recommends the public to visit the query system at official website, and select the nearest contract medical institutions for the purpose of convenience.