TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Wednesday urged the public, especially those in high-risk categories, to get the flu vaccine. 

Lai said it is still flu season and temperatures remain low, per CNA. He encouraged individuals over 65, people with chronic illnesses, students, and preschoolers to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their communities. 

This year, 6.78 million flu vaccine doses were procured, and 200,000 publicly funded doses remain, according to CDC Spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui (曾淑慧). Due to the limited supply of free vaccines, high-risk groups were asked to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

The CDC said from Jan. 19-25, outpatient and emergency visits for flu-like illnesses reached 162,352, a 10-year high for the period. From Oct. 1 to Feb. 2, 641 severe flu cases were reported with 132 related deaths, the highest in five years. 

More than 90% of those who died from flu-like illnesses did not get vaccinated. CDC official Tsou Tsung-Pei (鄒宗珮) noted last year’s vaccine provided 75% effectiveness in protection from severe flu complications and had 65.7% protective power against death within 30 days of immunization.