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A new 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) will be provided free of charge to eligible children at the Department of Health (DH)'s Maternal and Child Health Centres under the Government's Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme (CIP) from December 5, replacing the existing 10-valent vaccine (PCV10).
Children who have been receiving PCV10 can switch directly to PCV13. The immunisation schedule will remain unchanged, i.e. three primary doses at two, four and six months of age followed by one booster dose at 12 to 15 months.
A spokesman for the DH said it is not uncommon for the pneumococcus bacterium to cause invasive pneumococcal diseases, such as chest infection, bloodstream infection and meningitis, in young children.
As no pneumococcal vaccine covers all known serotypes of pneumococci, the spokesman reminded members of the public to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent infection. "Most pneumococcal infections can be treated effectively with antibiotics," the spokesman said.
Ends/Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:27
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