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The Hospital Authority will start to provide influenza vaccination from early November under the Influenza Vaccination Programme for 2007-08, to the inpatients of infirmary and psycho-geriatric units, inpatients who are mentally ill and mentally handicapped, inpatients with chronic diseases and paediatric inpatients with chronic disease or on long-term aspirin therapy.
A spokesman for the authority said today (May 30) that public Specialist Out-patient Clinics (SOPCs) and General Out-patient Clinics (GOPCs) would also provide influenza vaccinations to the following eligible persons from early November to the end of this year:
1. Paediatric outpatients with chronic diseases or on long-term aspirin therapy;
2. Elderly aged 65 or above with chronic diseases and are being followed up in public clinics;
3. Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients in the following categories:
i) People with chronic diseases of all age;
ii) Elderly aged 65 or above;
iii) Children aged 6-23 months;
iv) Pregnant women with antenatal appointments in public clinics.
The vaccination is also extended to poultry workers and those who are involved in poultry culling operations; and healthcare workers of Resident Care Homes for the Elderly and Resident Care Homes for the Disabled who have not met the vaccination schedule at their work places. The Hospital Authority will also arrange vaccinations for all health care workers in public hospitals.
The spokesman said the influenza vaccine was very safe and usually well tolerated apart from occasional soreness at the injection site. In rare instances, the recipient might experience fever, muscle and joint pains, and tiredness beginning six to 12 hours after vaccination and lasting up to two days.
"Only a small percentage of people are not suitable for vaccination. People who have a serious allergic reaction to eggs or to previous dose of influenza vaccine, are suggested to consult the doctor or nurse-in-charge prior to the vaccination. People who have fever or are severely ill at the time the vaccination is scheduled should wait until they have recovered before receiving the influenza vaccination," the spokesman said.
Ends/Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:51
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