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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
In accordance with the Government Vaccination Programme for 2011-12, the Hospital Authority (HA) outpatient clinics will start providing seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations to eligible persons commencing on November 1.
The HA spokesman today (September 12) said that eligible persons for seasonal influenza vaccinations include the following categories of people who attend public outpatient clinics:
1. Paediatric outpatients with chronic medical problems or on long-term aspirin therapy;
2. Elderly people aged 65 or above with chronic medical problems, including those who have chronic cardiovascular (except hypertension without complication), pulmonary, metabolic or renal diseases, or are obese (BMI 30 or above); and
3. Recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) in the following categories:
(i) Persons with chronic medical problems of all ages;
(ii) Persons aged 50 or above; and
(iii) All pregnant women with antenatal appointments in public clinics.
Poultry workers, pig farmers and people who are involved in poultry-culling operations or the pig-slaughtering industry, as referred by relevant departments, can also receive seasonal influenza vaccinations in 21 designated outpatient clinics from November 15.
Meanwhile, pneumococcal vaccinations will continue to be provided for the elderly this year, including the following categories of eligible persons who attend public outpatient clinics:
1. Elderly people aged 65 or above with chronic medical problems and followed up in public clinics; and
2. Elderly aged 65 or above without known chronic medical problems but on CSSA.
As in previous years, the HA will start its annual seasonal influenza vaccinations for long-stay inpatients with chronic diseases in public hospitals from November 1. The programme covers inpatients in infirmary and psychiatric units. Long-stay inpatients aged 65 or above will additionally be offered pneumococcal vaccinations. The HA will also arrange vaccinations for staff from mid-October.
The HA will promote the vaccination programme through different channels, including the display of posters at prominent places of public hospitals, specialist outpatient clinics and general outpatient clinics.
Ends/Monday, September 12, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:33
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