Reported by Lee Shu-Jen from Chang Yi-Hua
The WHO recently published a list of 12 superbugs, including streptococcus pneumonia and enterobacter which are quite common in Taiwan. The difference between streptococcus pneumonia and the other superbugs is that streptococcus pneumonia is preventable through vaccination. Dr Huang Li-Ming, the Director of the Pediatric Department of the NTUH, suggested giving adults the priority in vaccination against preventable superbugs.
According to the MOHW’s data, pneumonia has been in the 3rd place of the top 10 causes of death in Taiwan for two years in a roll. Taking the 2017 data in Taipei City for example, among all top 10 causes of death, only pneumonia saw an upward trend. The theme of this year’s World Immunization Week is: “Protected Together: Vaccines Work!” Dr Huang pointed out the reasons behind the low vaccination rate against pneumonia in Taiwan which include the public’s low awareness of both the severity of the disease and the availability of vaccination, and the NHI’s focus on treatments rather than on prevention.
Legislator Lin Jing-Yin (DPP) also pointed out that the government set a huge budget for vaccines, but spent little on the promotion and health education about immunization. As the society is ageing, the health conditions of the general public and the consequent increase in health expenditure will be a worry for the future generation.
As for which vaccines should have priority in the free vaccination program, Legislator Lin expressed that the government should make such decisions based on the cost benefit analysis. Priorities should be set according to the potential health risk imposed by individual diseases.
Deputy Director of the CDC pointed out the four major changes in this year’s immunization program. Free hepatitis A vaccines will be given to children under 12 from medium-low and low income families. From July 1st, free HBIG vaccines will be given to babies born by mothers who have a positive HBsAg test result. Free streptococcus pneumoniae vaccines will be extended to the elderly. Also, flu vaccines will be upgraded from trivalent vaccines to quadrivalent vaccines.
【2019-04-29 / United Daily News】
