With the severe cases of influenza being reported in Hualien, the Center for Disease Control is strongly urging parents to have their children vaccinated to cut down their chance of catching this potentially dangerous flu.

Since the weather is getting colder, the number of people catching a cold is also rising.

In Hualien, a family of six all came down with influenza.

The parents and four kids showed flu symptoms in late October and the four-year-old boy and two-year-old girl are now being hospitalized for pneumonia.

The Center for Disease Control says the two children didn't get influenza vaccine.

And parents are advised to get their children vaccinated to reduce the risks.

One month after public influenza vaccination program began, only 30% of high-risk groups, including elders over the age of 65 have received the shot.

The percentage of getting the vaccination is only 27% among infants of 6 months old and babies under 3 years of age.

The percentage of getting vaccination is 15% among three-year-olds and preschoolers.

To effectively control the epidemic, Department of Health is to offer free influenza shots to 5th and 6th graders, which will benefit 400,000 kids.

The CDC asks the public to be vigilant as another death case was reported last week.

A 53-year-old male in Taichung, who did not have chronic illness or receive the vaccination, died of influenza, becoming the 25th death case since July this year.