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To prevent the spread of influenza in the coming peak season, it is important that the public and private sectors work together to provide influenza vaccinations to members of the public.
Although influenza vaccine cannot prevent avian influenza as the vaccine is specific for human influenza, the vaccine can help reduce the chance of complications and hospitalisation resulting from human influenza. It can also reduce the chance of genetic re-assortment and subsequent emergence of an influenza strain with pandemic potential.
The remarks were made by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, today (November 7) during his visit to an elderly home in Aberdeen to review the implementation of the Government Influenza Vaccination Programme (GIVP).
Dr Chow said the GIVP was developed on the basis of the recommendations of the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (SCVPD) of the Centre for Health Protection.
The GIVP was tailor-made for high risk cases and the needy who were less likely to access the private medical sector for vaccinations. This year, the GIVP was extended to cover the healthcare workers in Residential Care Homes for the Elderly and the Residential Care Homes for the Disabled, Dr Chow said.
"All along, the GIVP has received a good response from the public. Last year, the coverage of the elderly home residents was about 93%.
"About 250,000 people will be covered under the GIVP this year," Dr Chow said.
The majority of the vaccines under the GIVP will be given this month and in December to allow time for the target groups to build up an immunity against influenza before the usual seasonal peak around January to March.
The GIVP 2005-06 provides free influenza vaccinations to the following target groups:
1. Elderly people living in residential care homes;
2. Long-stay residents of institutions for the disabled;
3. Elderly people aged 65 or above with chronic illness being followed up in public clinics, as well as those aged 65 or above receiving CSSA;
4. People under 65 with chronic illness who are on CSSA, and some HA in-patients with chronic illness;
5. Health care workers with the Department of Health, the Hospital Authority and other government departments, as well as those in elderly homes and residential institutions for the disabled;
6. Poultry workers or staff who may be involved in the poultry culling operations;
7. Children aged from six to 23 months from families receiving CSSA; and
8. Pregnant women (in their second or third trimester) receiving CSSA. ¡@
To prevent influenza and other respiratory infections, people should adopt a healthy lifestyle and adhere to good personal and environmental hygiene by:
* building up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
* maintaining good personal hygiene, such as washing hands after sneezing or coughing, and wearing a mask if developing symptoms of respiratory infection;
* maintaining good ventilation indoors; and
* avoiding visiting crowded places with poor ventilation, especially during the peak influenza season.
Ends/Monday, November 7, 2005
Issued at HKT 12:18
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