***************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
To tie in with the Government¡¦s human swine influenza (HSI) vaccination programme, the Hospital Authority (HA) will start to provide free vaccinations to the target groups of Hong Kong residents from 21 December 2009 at public hospitals and clinics.
The HA spokesman today (Monday, 30 November) said that the following target groups will receive HSI vaccinations in public hospitals and clinics:
1. All chronic patients who are regularly followed up at HA general outpatient and specialist clinics (chronic illnesses include cardiovascular [except hypertension without complication] and lung disease; obesity or metabolic or kidney disease; immunodeficiency; chronic neurological condition; children and adolescents [aged six-month to 18-year-old] on long-term aspirin therapy);
2. All pregnant women with antenatal appointments in HA obstetric clinics;
3. Elderly aged 65 or above; and
4. Chronic patients aged below 65 who do not attend HA clinics but with referral from the Department of Health.
The chronic patients and pregnant women of public hospitals who wish to receive vaccination service should attend the general outpatient clinics or specialist clinics and bring along relevant documents, including Hong Kong Identity Card and appointment slip. They will be vaccinated if assessed as clinically suitable by clinic staff.
For all elderly aged 65 or above and those chronic patients aged below 65 but not HA patients and with referral from Department of Health, they would be able to receive vaccination service in the 61 general outpatient clinics under HA.
Furthermore, workers in the pig industry and healthcare workers as referred by the Department of Health will also receive HSI vaccinations in the 18 designated general outpatient clinics of HA from 21 December 2009.
The HA spokesman stresses that the HSI vaccine is safe. "Protection from HSI vaccination develops about two weeks after getting a shot. The side effects are similar to those of seasonal flu vaccination. 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."
"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, November 30, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:03
NNNN
