The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has offered select groups free vaccinations against influenza since October 1, Premier Jiang Yi-huah remarked at today's Cabinet meeting.
The premier asked the MOHW, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Education and Council of Agriculture (COA) to collaborate with local governments to increase vaccination of those at high risk. Relevant agencies should communicate to the public the importance of undertaking this procedure as soon as possible, he added.
Citizens who are not eligible for this subsidy program may assess their health needs and receive the vaccination for a fee, Jiang remarked.
The government has operated a central epidemic command center for H7N9 bird flu since this April, and the various ministries and local governments have continued to strengthen prevention while preparing for various epidemic scenarios. The premier expressed his gratitude to all the staff for their hard work in this area.
"H7N9 remains a threat, as it can persistently mutate to increase its contagiousness. Furthermore, the risk of bird flu transmission increases in the autumn and winter, when migratory birds fly south," Jiang said. He asked the COA to continuously monitor incoming birds and collaborate with the MOHW to consolidate epidemic surveillance in order to control and manage viruses at the source and prevent the infection of humans.
Another preventative measure against bird flu, the ban on poultry slaughter in traditional markets, has reaped preliminary results since its implementation in May, the premier pointed out. He asked relevant agencies to continue enforcing this policy and the COA to expedite work on a draft revision of the Animal Industry Act to ban the sale of live poultry in traditional markets altogether.
Meanwhile, to bolster the prevention of rabies, Jiang directed local governments to carry out Vice Premier Mao Chi-kuo's suggestion to recruit more veterinarians.