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The Government today (September 29) invited private medical doctors to join the Influenza Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (IVSS). Those who are interested in participating in the scheme are required to enroll with the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health starting tomorrow.
The scheme will run from November 1 to the end of March 2009. Under the scheme, children between the age of six months and less than six years and possessing Hong Kong resident status are eligible to receive a government subsidy of $80 per dose of influenza vaccine from enrolled doctors.
Local children aged six or above who are attending kindergartens or child care centres in Hong Kong are also eligible for the subsidy.
A CHP spokesman said a Doctors' Guide to IVSS including enrolment procedure was available at IVSS website (www.ivss.gov.hk). Doctors who are interested in joining the scheme are required to send the completed application forms and relevant documents to the CHP by post.
"Doctors who have enrolled can determine their fee levels for influenza vaccination service but they have to put up an IVSS logo with their names at the clinics for public reference," the spokesman said.
Clinic addresses and telephone numbers and prices of the influenza vaccination service charged by enrolled doctors will be posted on the IVSS website.
"Enrolled doctors will receive reimbursements from the Government at $80 per vaccine dose given to eligible children.
"Parents have to pay the enrolled private doctor the remaining fee after the $80 subsidy is discounted," the spokesman said.
Invitation letters were sent to all eligible doctors in early August and they have been advised to place vaccine purchase orders early with their suppliers as the scheme is expected to bring in more children to get vaccinated.
Two briefing sessions on the scheme have also been conducted for private doctors.
The CHP has set up a hotline 2125 2125 to answer public enquiries on the scheme from 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays.
Ends/Monday, September 29, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:47
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