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In accordance with the Government's Influenza Vaccination Programme, the Hospital Authority (HA) has started to provide vaccinations to the following people who have follow-up appointments in outpatient clinics since November 7, 2005:
1. Paediatric outpatients with chronic diseases or on long-term aspirin therapy;
2. Elderly aged 65 or above with chronic diseases (including heart disease, lung disease, metabolic disorder (such as diabetes), urinary/renal disease, liver disease, immuno-compromised and cancer);
3. CSSA recipients in the following categories:
i. Persons with chronic diseases of all ages;
ii. Elderly aged 65 or above;
iii. Children aged six to 23 months;
iv. Pregnant women in their 2nd or 3rd trimester with antenatal appointments in public clinics.
Meanwhile, HA also provides vaccinations to inpatients of infirmary and psycho-geriatric units, inpatients who are mentally-ill and mentally handicapped, inpatients with chronic diseases, paediatric inpatients with chronic diseases or on long-term aspirin therapy, HA staff on voluntary basis and poultry workers and people who are involved in poultry culling operation as referred by relevant departments.
As at December 11, 2005, more than 123,000 people have received vaccinations. The vaccination programme will continue until the end of December.
HA has been co-ordinating the distribution of vaccines to hospital clusters which re-distribute among themselves if needed as normal practice. According to the current progress of the vaccination programme, the exiting stock of vaccines is sufficient to meet the demand.
Ends/Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Issued at HKT 18:11
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