TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Centers for Disease Control said Tuesday that demand for flu vaccination has reached historic levels, with more than 91% of publicly funded doses already administered.

The CDC said 6.12 million of the 6.68 million procured doses have been used — 16% more than during the same period last year — with another 150,000 doses expected to arrive and be distributed by late December, per CNA.

Taiwan’s flu vaccination program is rolling out in two phases: the first began on Oct. 1 for seniors, preschool children, and healthcare workers; the second started on Nov. 1 for adults aged 50 and older without high-risk chronic conditions.

CDC Director General Luo Yi-jun (羅一鈞) said this year’s early flu season and the high-profile death of Taiwanese actress Big S (大S) in Japan may have contributed to stronger vaccination demand. He noted that only 47.6% of seniors have been vaccinated so far, leaving more than 300,000 shots needed to reach the 55% target.

Eligibility has also expanded to include both parents of infants under six months old, with documentation proving prior cohabitation required for adoptive families.

Flu trends suggest infections will rise from mid-December and peak around Lunar New Year. CDC data show 85,425 outpatient and emergency visits for influenza-like illness from Nov. 16–22, a 10.1% drop from the previous week.

Over the past week, 25 new severe influenza cases and 12 deaths were reported. Most severe cases occurred in seniors over 65 (63%) and people with chronic conditions (83%), with 94% of severe cases unvaccinated.