Wu made the remarks as part of his efforts to enhance public confidence in the Adimmune Corp.-produced vaccine for swine flu, officially known as influenza A(H1N1).

Speaking at a weekly Cabinet meeting during which he was briefed on the current state of a nationwide H1N1 immunization campaign, Wu said epidemic control personnel should step up a publicity drive to let the public understand the locally produced vaccine has proved to be as effective as the imported one in a series of clinical trials.

"More publicity efforts are needed to dispel public misgivings, " Wu said, adding that he hopes more parents will be encouraged to have their children get swine flu shots.

Moreover, health care personnel should step up monitoring of any possible vaccine-induced bad effects and take measures to ward off public panic, Wu said.

As drug-resistant strains of the H1N1 virus have been reported abroad, Wu said epidemic control staff should heighten alert and keep abreast of the latest relevant information unveiled by the World Health Organization.

"Health care agencies at all levels should get prepared for worst-case scenarios," Wu stressed.

With the Dec. 5 three-in-one elections for local government and council posts approaching, Wu said the ad hoc Central Epidemic Control Center (CECC) should closely monitor public reaction about the various epidemic prevention measures, including class suspension, vaccination and polling station arrangements.

"The CECC should factor in general public demand and exercise proper flexibility in epidemic control measures to avert any possible public complaints or grievances," Wu said.

According to a Department of Health (DOH) report, 206 countries around the world have reported H1N1 cases to the World Health Organization, with at least 6,260 fatalities, since the swine flu outbreak began. As of Wednesday, 602 H1N1 patients had been hospitalized for H1N1 infections in Taiwan, 29 of whom had died while most others had been discharged after recovery.

The present nationwide immunization drive was launched on Nov. 1, with vaccines supplied by multinational pharmaceutical plant Novartis. On Nov. 16, the locally produced vaccine began to be used in inoculations for school children.

According to the DOH's immunization program, fourth graders and those of older ages need to get only one H1N1 shot, while younger children should receive two shots.

The epidemic control center has formed a special task force to tackle any possible H1N1 vaccine-induced emergencies and a supervisory corps to ensure timely response to any emergency cases.

(By Hsieh Chia-chen and Sofia Wu)