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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) starts providing free vaccinations to target groups of Hong Kong residents from today (December 21) at public hospitals and clinics.
The HA spokesman today 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 months to 18 years 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 have a referral from the Department of Health.
"The chronic patients and pregnant women at public hospitals who wish to receive vaccination service should attend the general outpatient clinics or specialist clinics and bring along relevant documents, including their Hong Kong identity card and appointment slip. They will be vaccinated if assessed as clinically suitable by clinic staff," the spokesman said.
"For all elderly aged 65 or above and chronic patients aged below 65 who are not HA patients but have a referral from the Department of Health, they will be able to receive vaccination service in the 61 general outpatient clinics under the 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 today.
To encourage healthcare workers at public hospitals to have the HSI vaccination, the HA Chairman, Chief Executive and directors set the example by being vaccinated last week. The video clip of their appeal starts airing on the HA Channel in public hospitals and clinics today, and related posters have also been put up.
The HA spokesman stressed that the HSI vaccine is safe. "Protection from the 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," he said.
"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 specialist or general out-patient clinics they are attending, or make general enquiries at the HA hotline 2300 6555 during office hours," the spokesman added.
Ends/Monday, December 21, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:43
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