Eligibility for flu antiviral medicine to be expandedBy Chiu Chih-jou / Staff reporter, with CNAEligibility for government-funded influenza antiviral drugs would be expanded from Jan. 20 to Feb. 28 to include seven groups considered to be at higher risk of spreading the virus, as the flu is predicted to enter an epidemic period at the end of the month, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. Photo: Taipei TimesThe CDC said while it typically broadens eligibility during the epidemic period, the expansion from Jan. 20 is a preemptive preparation. Rhinovirus infections in Taiwan increased slightly recently, but rhinovirus and adenoviruses are still the second and third-most common viruses respectively in the nation, and have not exceeded the number of flu viruses, he said. The rhinovirus tends to infect the upper respiratory tract and rarely extends to the lower respiratory tract, Lin said. If that is the case, the child should be taken to see a doctor as soon as possible, he added.

Source: Taipei Times January 10, 2026 17:14 UTC