Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC) extended eligibility for publicly funded flu medicines through Nov. 15, giving designated groups more time to seek prescriptions while influenza remains at epidemic levels.
The agency counted 123,820 outpatient and emergency visits for flu-like illness from Oct. 11–17, a 5.4% decline from the previous week. The figure measures visits for symptoms, not confirmed flu infections or unique patients. In a separate Oct. 13–19 reporting period, the CDC reported 159 new severe cases and 44 deaths.
The broader eligibility rules had been due to expire Oct. 31. This is their second extension following the CDC’s initial announcement in August. The agency cited continuing epidemic-level activity and the approaching respiratory-disease season.
People with flu-like symptoms in designated groups may receive a publicly funded prescription for Tamiflu or Eraflu at contracted medical facilities if a doctor determines that they meet the criteria. The CDC said Taiwan’s National Health Insurance does not cover influenza antiviral drugs.
Eligible groups include registered medical and nonmedical personnel who carry out epidemic-prevention work at medical institutions. They also include staff and people receiving care at long-term care and eldercare institutions, childcare workers and nannies, and people who live with or care for those at high risk of severe flu.
Eligible students range from preschool through senior and vocational high school and include those in years one through three of five-year junior college programs. The rules also cover livestock and poultry farm workers, zoo personnel and animal disease-prevention personnel, along with people at other crowded institutions prone to outbreaks, such as military barracks.
The CDC urged people with warning signs, including difficulty breathing, blue skin or lips, chest pain or altered consciousness, to seek immediate medical attention. The expanded prescribing criteria are scheduled to end Nov. 15.
