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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesman of the Hospital Authority (HA) today (June 3) announced that in accordance with the decision of the Government on the 2015 Southern Hemisphere Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SH SIV) Programme, the General Out-patient Clinics (GOPC), Specialist Out-patient Clinics (SOPCs) and public hospitals of the HA has lowered the age criteria of community elders eligible for the vaccination from existing 85 or above to 80 or above starting from tomorrow (June 4).
The spokesman pointed out that since the commencement of the SHSIV programme at public hospitals and clinics on May 20, the HA has already arranged free vaccination to nearly 8,000 numbers of eligible community elders at the age of 85 or above. Vaccination services are provided in all HA GOPCs in the territory (address and telephone numbers of 73 GOPCs are accessible at the following link: www.ha.org.hk/goto/GOPC-SHSIV). Eligible community elders aged 80 or above can choose to receive vaccination in any GOPC in the coming few weeks. No prior booking for vaccination is required.
"Those eligible elders who have follow-up appointments in GOPCs or SOPCs or public hospitals in the coming few weeks can choose to receive vaccination when they attend their scheduled appointments," the spokesperson added.
"Eligible elders only need to bring valid documents including Hong Kong Identity Card, the Vaccination Records, HA Outpatient Clinic appointment slips (if available) and approach the staff in the Registration Counter of the clinic. The staff will then arrange them for vaccination. The service hours for vaccination at GOPC is from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm every Mondays to Fridays, excluding evening, weekends and public holidays."All outpatient clinics will display posters in prominent places in the clinics to inform the public of the vaccination arrangements."
Elders who have influenza symptoms, fever or are severely ill are reminded not to receive the vaccination. They should defer the vaccination until after full recovery. Members of the public can make enquiry at the HA hotline 2300 6555 during office hours or visit the following website: www.ha.org.hk/goto/SHSIV for detailed information.
Ends/Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Issued at HKT 20:23
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