TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The government will procure 100,000 additional doses of the flu vaccine, reserved for high-risk groups, to meet the rush in demand this flu season.

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Thursday approved the purchase of 100,000 more doses of the publicly funded vaccine, confirmed Cabinet Spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝), per CNA. They will be administered to high-risk groups, particularly those over 65, toddlers over 6 months, preschool children, and other individuals the CDC designates as at high risk from influenza. 

The publicly funded doses will be ready by Feb. 20, and those in high-risk categories are encouraged to get the vaccine as early as possible. The flu season should lessen over the next two weeks, the CDC added. 

The CDC reported that as of Wednesday, 43,000 doses of the publicly funded vaccine remain. For those not belonging to a high-risk group but wishing to get vaccinated, the supply of self-funded vaccines is plentiful, the CDC noted.

On Sunday, the death of 48-year-old actress Barbie Hsu (徐熙媛) due to flu-related illness caused a rush for flu vaccinations across Taiwan.