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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (November 29) that the Childhood 13-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13) Booster Vaccination Programme (BVP) will commence on December 2 by phases through paediatric specialist clinics of the Hospital Authority (HA), Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) under the DH, and private doctors through the Childhood Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (PCV13 booster) (CVSS (PCV13 booster)).
"Hong Kong residents aged from 2 to under 5 years old (i.e. born on or after November 26, 2008) who have never received PCV13 are eligible for one booster dose of PCV13," a spokesman for the DH remarked.
Starting from December 2, free PCV13 booster doses will be provided for at-risk paediatric patients attending the HA's paediatric specialist clinics during their follow-up consultations. At-risk paediatric patients include:
(1) Patients with history of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD);
(2) Patients with immunocompromised states, including:
* Asplenia, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), primary immunodeficiency;
* Immunodeficiency related to malignancies and transplantation;
* Immunodeficiency related to use of immunosuppressive drugs or systemic steroids;
(3) Patients with chronic diseases, i.e.:
* Chronic cardiac (particularly cyanotic congenital heart disease and cardiac failure), pulmonary (including asthma if treated with high-dose oral corticosteroid therapy), liver or renal diseases;
* Diabetes mellitus or cerebrospinal fluid leakage; and
(4) Cochlear implant patients.
In order to extend the protection to those who are underprivileged, starting from December 2, the DH's MCHCs will also provide free PCV13 booster doses to eligible children from financially vulnerable families who are recipients of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme or holders of valid Certificates for Waiver of Medical Charges from the Social Welfare Department. Parents may approach their MCHCs for appointments.
"As regards the CVSS (PCV13 booster), it is expected to roll out before late December. A designated logo and pricing poster set for the CVSS (PCV13 booster) will be provided to the enrolled private clinics for identification by the public. Parents may take their eligible children to participating private doctors registered under the CVSS (PCV13 booster) for one subsidised dose of PCV13 if they have never received it before. Children who have ever received PCV13 do not need to receive it again," the spokesman said.
The Government will proceed to procurement of vaccines which will be directly supplied to enrolled private doctors. An injection fee of $50 for each dose of PCV13 given to eligible children will be reimbursed to the private doctors through the e-Health system under the DH.
As with other existing Vaccination Subsidy Schemes, the Government will not set limitations on any additional fee to be charged by enrolled private doctors. A list of enrolled private doctors and their additional fees will be indicated and uploaded on the CHP's website in mid-December while additional fees should also be clearly specified on the pricing posters displayed at their clinics for the public's easy reference.
Free PCV13 vaccination and the immunisation schedule under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme (CIP) for eligible children aged under 2 years old at the DH's MCHCs has remained unchanged, that is, a total of three primary doses at 2, 4 and 6 months of age followed by one booster dose at 12 months. If the date of receiving the vaccine is on or before December 4, 2011, the vaccines provided at all MCHCs are 7-valent or 10-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines. If the date is on or after December 5, 2011, the vaccines provided are PCV13. Most children currently aged under 3 years old should have received at least one prior dose of PCV13 under the CIP.
"The DH has liaised with the local vaccine supplier of PCV13 to ensure that there are sufficient doses for the BVP and to meet local needs. To date, according to information provided by the supplier, there are currently sufficient stocks of PCV13 and more vaccines will be delivered to Hong Kong in December," the spokesman added.
"Active preparations are now in full swing and the DH will continue to maintain close liaison with private doctors, the HA and the vaccine supplier during implementation. The BVP is expected to be completed by June 30, 2014," the spokesman said.
The CHP has set up a hotline (2125 2125) for public enquiries relating to the BVP during office hours. Members of the public may also visit the CHP's website on vaccination programmes (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/18870.html) for more information.
"Locally, the prevalence of IPD has been stable all along," the spokesman added.
The number of IPD cases among children under 5 years old has been relatively stable in the past few years (see Table 1 in Attachment). Among the cases under 5 years old, most are children aged 3 or below. As of November 27, 16 cases (including two deaths) were recorded this year, while 16 (two deaths), 21 (two deaths) and 14 (three deaths) cases were filed respectively in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
The number of IPD cases caused by serotype 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae in children under 5 years old, however, indicates an apparent increase in 2013 (see Table 2 in the Attachment). As of November 27, eight cases (including one death) have been recorded this year, while six, three and four (two deaths) cases were respectively filed in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Members of the public may visit the CHP's IPD page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/32346.html) for more information.
"The Government will remain vigilant against IPD. As preceding infection with influenza will lead to more severe illnesses caused by IPD, the CHP will enhance preparedness for the winter influenza season. The CHP will step up publicity to enlist community support and promote awareness on personal health, environmental hygiene and infection control," the spokesman reiterated.
Ends/Friday, November 29, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:15
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