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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesman for the Hospital Authority (HA) today (June 23) announced that in accordance with the Government's decision on the 2015 Southern Hemisphere Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SHSIV) Programme, the General Out-patient Clinics (GOPCs), Specialist Out-patient Clinics (SOPCs) and public hospitals of the HA have further relaxed the age criteria of community elderly persons eligible for the vaccination from the existing 80 or above to 75 or above starting from tomorrow (June 24).
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 over 24,000 numbers of eligible community elderly persons at the age of 80 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 elderly perople aged 75 or above can choose to receive vaccination in any GOPC in the coming few weeks. No prior booking for vaccination is required.
"Those eligible elderly persons 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 elderly people only need to bring valid documents including Hong Kong Identity Card, vaccination records, HA Outpatient Clinic appointment slips (if available) and approach the staff at the clinic's registration counter. The staff will then arrange for their vaccination. The service hours for vaccination at GOPCs are from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm every Monday to Friday, excluding evenings, weekends and public holidays. All outpatient clinics will display posters in prominent places in the clinics to inform the public of the vaccination arrangements."
Elderly persons 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 on the HA hotline 2300 6555 during office hours or visit the following website: www.ha.org.hk/goto/SHSIV for detailed information.
Ends/Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:31
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