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The Advisory Committee on Immunization has met today (August 14) to discuss the issue of influenza vaccination in relation to the possibility of a return of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) this winter.
Department of Health's Consultant, Dr Tse Lai-yin, who chaired the meeting of the Advisory Committee, said: "In view of a possible seasonal return of SARS which may coincide with the influenza peak season and the absence of a rapid and reliable diagnostic test to rule out SARS early in the course of illness, the Committee opined that special provision should be made with regard influenza vaccination for the coming winter."
"One aim is to reduce the burden on our health care system arising from influenza whose clinical picture may be mistaken for SARS," Dr Tse said.
The Committee recommends that healthcare workers receive influenza vaccination in the 2003/04 influenza season as they are at a greater risk of contracting influenza and SARS. This is also in line with the advice of the World Health Organization.
Since 1998, DH has been implementing an annual influenza vaccination programme for the elderly in residential care homes. The overall coverage rates were over 85%. The Committee recommends DH's influenza vaccination programme this year be expanded to cover long-stay residents of institutions for the mentally and physically disabled. This is recommended because new local data show a high rate of hospitalization during influenza outbreaks in these institutions. Also, the residents were often unable to undertake hygiene measures in the prevention of influenza owing to their physical and mental disability.
Moreover, the Committee is of the view that elderly persons aged 65 or above, and persons with chronic heart or lung diseases could seek medical advice for influenza vaccination for individual protection against the 2003/04 influenza season.
The Committee's recommendations will be put forward to Director of Health for consideration.
End/Thursday, August 14, 2003
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