We're seeing a huge drop of people getting influenza vaccines, a 33 percent decrease, compared to the same period last year. The Centers for Disease Control says that many are probably not getting immunized because no major outbreaks have been reported so far. Now, the Health Minister, Yaung Chih-liang is setting an example, by getting a dose of it, to encourage more people to do the same.

In order to raise awareness, Health Minister Yaung Chih-liang rolled up his sleeve and gave himself a flu shot.

Although the government is providing free flu shots to the public, the number of people that have taken advantage of the program has decreased by 33% from the same period last year.

Free flu shots have been administered to just 30,000 children over the age of six months, which is 50% less than last year.

Meanwhile, the vaccination rate for seniors over the age of 65 has fallen 25% to 450,000.

More than one million people were vaccinated in the first two weeks of October last year, compared to 722,000 this year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 42 cases of the flu have been reported in communities so far this season, with the majority being the AH3 strain.

As peak season hits between the end of December and Chinese New Year, the public is encouraged to get their free flu shots as soon as possible.