Over 1,000 classes were recently canceled as a result of the A(H1N1) swine flu, signaling the start of the epidemic's anticipated second wave, local media reported yesterday.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said 1,109 classes involving 516 classrooms, were suspended as of Friday evening due to flu infections.

Campuses have been considered primary breeding grounds of the novel virus, with most of the recently hospitalized A(H1N1) cases affecting children in elementary or junior high schools.

Five of the seven admitted under medical care for the flu yesterday involved persons of the aforementioned demographic, according to the CECC.

But Deputy Director-General Chou Zhi-hao of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) noted that despite the widespread nature of the disease, the epidemic remains moderate in severity, with a mortality rate of approximately one to two deaths per 10,000 reported cases.

Meanwhile, on the eve of kicking off the islandwide A(H1N1) immunization campaign, health authorities pointed to the potential lack of manpower to handle vaccinations.

As of Friday, there were slightly over 500 designated spots registered and equipped with the resources to give out A(H1N1) flu shots.

This figure pales in comparison to the 3,500 designated clinics that offered seasonal flu vaccines, said a Central News Agency (CNA) report.

As previously reported, 2.99 million season flu shots are expected to be administered this year, versus 15 million A(H1N1) flu shots.

The government has said that it plans to complete inoculation of 12 million A(H1N1) shots by lunar new year, but officials have concluded that the number of health care workers at contracted hospitals may be far from sufficient to carry out the immunization program in accordance with the timeline, the CNA said.

According to the report, Ho Mei-hsiang, director of the research department of local vaccine manufacturer Adimmune Corp, noted that the company is still waiting for the Department of Health (DOH) to retrieve A(H1N1) vaccine that has been produced, despite the near completion of the vaccine's certification process.

The campaign rolls out today, with some 6,000 typhoon victims and medical care personnel given top priority. They will be followed by pregnant women and children over one as well as patients suffering from critical illnesses.