*********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
In accordance with the Government's Vaccination Programme for 2009-10, the Hospital Authority (HA) outpatient clinics will start providing seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations to eligible persons commencing October 19, 2009 until March 31, 2010.
The HA spokesman today (October 12) said that eligible persons for seasonal influenza vaccination include the following categories of people who attend public outpatient clinics:
1. Paediatric outpatients with chronic diseases or on long term aspirin therapy;
2. Elderly aged 65 or above with chronic diseases including those who have chronic cardiovascular (except hypertension without complication), pulmonary, metabolic or renal diseases;
3. Recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) in the following categories:
i. Persons with chronic diseases of all ages;
ii. Elderly aged 65 or above; and
iii. All pregnant women with antenatal appointments in public clinics.
Poultry workers and people who are involved in poultry culling operation, as referred by relevant departments, can also receive seasonal influenza vaccination in 19 designated outpatient clinics from November 9.
On the other hand, pneumococcal vaccination will also be provided for the elderly this year, including the following categories of eligible persons who attend public outpatients clinics:
1. Elderly aged 65 or above with chronic illness and follow-up in public clinic; and
2. Elderly aged 65 or above without known chronic illness but on CSSA.
To facilitate patients receiving vaccination programme at the clinics, the spokesman advises patients to attend the clinics and receive vaccination at the time of their pre-scheduled follow-up appointment. Patients whose follow-up appointment date falls outside the specified vaccination period should enquire at the clinics for necessary arrangement.
The eight HA Designated Flu Clinics will only provide vaccination to the chronic disease patients with scheduled medical appointments. Other eligible groups of people should go to other general outpatient clinics to receive vaccination. The eight Designated Flu Clinics are: Sai Ying Pun Jockey Club General Outpatient Clinic, Shau Kei Wan Jockey Club Clinic, Central Kowloon Health Centre, Kowloon Bay Health Centre, South Kwai Chung Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic, Yuen Chau Kok Clinic, Fanling Family Medicine Centre, and Yan Oi General Outpatient Clinic.
"The above mentioned eligible persons who wish to receive vaccination should attend the outpatient clinics while bringing along relevant documents, including Hong Kong identity card, HA outpatient clinic appointment slip, CSSA certificate and vaccination authorisation issued by the Government. They will be vaccinated if assessed as clinically suitable by clinic staff."
As in previous years, HA will start its annual seasonal influenza vaccination for long-stay inpatients with chronic diseases in public hospitals from October 19. The programme covers inpatients in infirmary and psychiatric units. The long-stay inpatients aged at 65 or above will additionally be offered for pneumococcal vaccination. HA will also arrange vaccination for staff and volunteers on voluntary basis from early October.
The HA spokesman stresses that both vaccines are safe. "Protection from seasonal influenza vaccination develops about two weeks after getting a flu shot and may last up to one year. It is usually well tolerated apart from occasional soreness at the injection site. In rare instances, the recipient may experience fever, muscle and joint pains, and tiredness beginning six to 12 hours after vaccination and lasting up to two days."
"As for the pneumococcal vaccine, protection will be generated in two to three weeks after inoculation. We do not recommend those elderly people who have received pneumococcal vaccination within the last five years to re-vaccinate. The vaccination site within a short time after injection may have slight swelling and pain."
"People who have flu symptoms, fever or are severely ill at the time of vaccination should defer the vaccination and wait until they have recovered. Patients can enquire at the respective specialist or general out-patient clinics where they are attending; or make general enquiry at the HA hotline 2300 6555 during office hours," the spokesman remarked.
Ends/Monday, October 12, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:36
NNNN
