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The Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), Dr Leung Ting-hung, today (May 7) announced that the 2015 Southern Hemisphere Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SH SIV) Programme will be launched tomorrow (May 8).
The SH SIV will be provided free to residents of residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) through enrolled Visiting Medical Officers (VMOs) of the Residential Care Home Vaccination Programme (RVP) from tomorrow onwards, as well as the elderly aged 85 or above in the community setting via the Hospital Authority (HA) and the DH's designated Elderly Health Centres (EHCs) starting from May 20 under the existing Government Vaccination Programme (GVP). A total of 100 000 doses of SH SIV have been procured.
"The SH SIV contains the influenza A/Switzerland/9715293/2013 (H3N2)-like virus strain, which was predominant in the winter influenza season that ended in late April. The SH SIV Programme may protect the elderly from the possible summer influenza season and prevent outbreaks in RCHEs," Dr Leung said at a joint media briefing with the HA.
(A) RVP
Starting from tomorrow, the SH SIV will be provided to RCHEs' residents irrespective of age by enrolled VMOs therein to which an injection fee of $50 per dose will be reimbursed under the RVP.
The CHP has briefed RCHEs and VMOs on the arrangements concerned. RCHEs are collecting residents' consent on vaccination while vaccine orders and delivery are under way.
(B) GVP
From May 20 onwards, elderly people in the community will be provided with the SH SIV via the HA and the DH's designated EHCs, and elderly persons aged 85 or above will be vaccinated at the start of the GVP to accord priority to the eldest based on risk assessment.
Regarding the DH, 10 designated EHCs will provide vaccination to all eligible elderly people, while all 18 EHCs will provide vaccination for eligible members. The EHCs will provide vaccination from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm from Monday to Friday excluding public holidays.
Elderly persons should bring along their Hong Kong identity card and vaccination record (if available) for verification. Members should also show their member's booklet, while non-members should provide their information about significant medical problems, history of allergies, contact telephone number and address for record purposes. The EHCs are listed below:
Ten EHCs for all eligible elderly
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Hong Kong
Sai Ying Pun EHC (Tel: 2817 3418)
6/F, Sai Ying Pun Jockey Club Polyclinic, 134 Queen's Road West
Wan Chai EHC (Tel: 2591 4847)
2/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
Kowloon
Kowloon City EHC (Tel: 2762 8911)
G/F, Lions Clubs Health Centre, 80 Hau Wong Road, Kowloon City
Lam Tin EHC (Tel: 2727 5616)
G/F, Lam Tin Community Complex, 223 Pik Wan Road, Lam Tin
Nam Shan EHC (Tel: 2779 5596)
G/F, Nam Yiu House, Nam Shan Estate, Shek Kip Mei
New Territories East
Lek Yuen EHC (Tel: 2637 2005)
3/F, Lek Yuen Health Centre, 9 Lek Yuen Street, Sha Tin
Shek Wu Hui EHC (Tel: 2672 5858)
1/F, Shek Wu Hui Jockey Club Clinic, 108 Jockey Club Road, Shek Wu Hui, Sheung Shui
Tseung Kwan O EHC (Tel: 2623 7304)
G/F, Tseung Kwan O Jockey Club Clinic, 99 Po Lam Road North, Tseung Kwan O
New Territories West
Kwai Shing EHC (Tel: 2741 2069)
G/F & 1/F, Shing Wo House, Kwai Shing East Estate, Kwai Yip Street, Kwai Chung
Islands
Tung Chung EHC (Tel: 2109 4711)
1/F, Block 2, Tung Chung Health Centre, 6 Fu Tung Street, Tung Chung, Lantau Island
Eight EHCs for eligible members only
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Hong Kong
Aberdeen EHC (Tel: 2580 3554)
LG/F, Block B, Aberdeen Jockey Club Clinic, 10 Aberdeen Reservoir Road, Aberdeen
Shau Kei Wan EHC (Tel: 2569 4333)
G/F, Shau Kei Wan Jockey Club Clinic, 8 Chai Wan Road, Shau Kei Wan
Kowloon
San Po Kong EHC (Tel: 2382 3757)
G/F, Robert Black Health Centre, 600 Prince Edward Road East, San Po Kong
Yau Ma Tei EHC (Tel: 2782 5577)
1/F, Yau Ma Tei Jockey Club Polyclinic, 145 Battery Street, Yau Ma Tei
New Territories East
Tai Po EHC (Tel: 2657 2329)
G/F, Wong Siu Ching Clinic, 1 Po Wu Lane, Tai Po
New Territories West
Tsuen Wan EHC (Tel: 2408 2267)
G/F, Block B, Lady Trench Polyclinic, 213 Sha Tsui Road, Tsuen Wan
Tuen Mun Wu Hong EHC (Tel: 2430 7634)
1/F, Tuen Mun Wu Hong Health Centre, 2 Wu Hong Street, Tuen Mun
Yuen Long EHC (Tel: 2470 5982)
G/F, Madam Yung Fung Shee Health Centre, 26 Sai Ching Street, Yuen Long
Meanwhile, community-living elderly people aged 85 or above can also receive free vaccination at the HA's General Out-patient Clinics, Specialist Out-patient Clinics (for patients with follow-ups) and hospitals (for in-patients). Detailed arrangements will be laid down in a separate press release issued by the HA.
"We will closely monitor the progress of the SH SIV Programme and consider expanding the GVP's eligibility to other elderly people subject to circumstances. Members of the public should take note of the Government's announcements of updated arrangements," Dr Leung said.
The CHP has set up a dedicated page for the SH SIV Programme (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/39442.html) in the CHP's website. For enquiries, elderly persons and their family members may call the CHP's Vaccination Office (2125 2125) from 9am to 5.30pm from Monday to Friday.
A new radio Announcement in the Public Interest, posters, pamphlets, advertisements and collaboration with community partners will be arranged to inform members of the public of the arrangements.
Ends/Thursday, May 7, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:30
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