A five-year-old child in Hsinchu was afflicted with pneumonia even though he had received the shots for it. Medical experts explain that it is because the viruses have mutated, making the vaccines less effective in providing complete protection against the viral attacks. Parents should seek medical help immediately when children have symptoms such as prolonged fever and coughs.

In his first press conference after stepping down as health minister, Yaung Chih-liang noted that many people are afraid to get flu shots because of inaccurate media reports.

While the national vaccination program is the best way to prevent an epidemic, Yaung also noted that vaccines are not 100% effective.

A five-year old boy in Hsinchu that had previously received flu and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines was diagnosed with pneumonia after suffering a high fever for five days.

Doctors say that heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines protect only against seven types of viruses, and recommend triskaivalent vaccines as a more effective form of protection.

Because it is currently peak flu season, the number of pneumonia cases has risen 20% since last month.

Experts are calling on parents to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible.

At the same time, any child found to be suffering from a high fever for more than three days and is also coughing should seek immediate medical attention.

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