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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
In line with the Government Vaccination Programme (GVP) for 2015/16, public hospitals and out-patient clinics of the Hospital Authority (HA) will start providing seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations in two phases to eligible persons from next Thursday (October 15).
The HA Chief Manager (Infection, Emergency and Contingency), Dr Liu Shao-haei, today (October 8) said that the vaccination programme this year will be carried out in two phases. In the first phase starting from October 15, HA will provide influenza vaccination to eligible patients of public hospitals and outpatient clinics. The second phase will commence in early November to cover the elderly aged 65 or above in the community.
Eligible persons under the first phase of the vaccination programme include the following categories:
1. Paediatric outpatients with chronic medical problems or on long-term aspirin therapy
2. Elderly aged 65 or above following up at specialist or general out-patient clinics
3. Recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) or Hong Kong Residents who hold valid Certificate for Waiver of Medical Charges under the following categories:
i. Persons with chronic medical problems of all ages
ii. Persons aged 50 or above
iii. All pregnant women with antenatal appointments in public clinics
4. Persons with intellectual disability and being treated at public hospitals and clinics
"We will arrange influenza vaccination for our patients in the first phase in order to enhance their immunity against seasonal flu, reducing their risk of infection during the upcoming winter flu surge, and thus relieving public hospitals of the demand for healthcare services during the period," said Dr Liu.
Regarding the second phase of vaccination for the elderly in the community aged 65 or above, Dr Liu said at the media briefing today, "To facilitate the eligible elders to receive the vaccination and get them prepared for the coming flu surge, HA has assigned all General Outpatient Clinics (GOPCs) to start providing flu vaccination early in November.
"Poultry workers, pig farmers and people who are involved in poultry culling operations or the pig-slaughtering industry, as referred by relevant departments, can also receive seasonal influenza vaccination in 22 designated outpatient clinics from November 16," Dr Liu said.
Meanwhile, pneumococcal vaccination will continue to be provided for the elderly this year, including the following categories of eligible persons who attend public outpatient clinics but have never received pneumococcal vaccine:
1. Elderly aged 65 or above with chronic medical problems and follow-up in public clinics
2. Elderly aged 65 or above without known chronic medical problems but on CSSA or Hong Kong Residents who hold valid Certificate for Waiver of Medical Charges
To facilitate patients to receive vaccination at the clinics, Dr Liu advised patients having regular follow-up at specialist or general out-patient clinics to be vaccinated at the time of their pre-scheduled follow-up appointment within the vaccination period. Patients whose follow-up appointment date falls outside the specified vaccination period should enquire at the clinics for the necessary arrangements.
The above-mentioned eligible persons who wish to receive vaccination should attend the outpatient clinics while bringing along relevant documents, including the Government Vaccination Record Card, Hong Kong identity card, HA outpatient clinic appointment slip, CSSA certificate, valid certificate for waiver of medical charges and vaccination authorisation issued by the Government. They will be vaccinated if assessed as clinically suitable by clinic staff.
As in previous years, HA will start seasonal influenza vaccination for hospitalised patients with chronic problems, such as in-patients of infirmary, psycho-geriatric, mentally ill and mentally handicapped unit/wards from next Thursday (October 15). The above-mentioned in-patients aged at 65 or above will additionally be offered pneumococcal vaccination. HA has also started to arrange for vaccination for staff from October 15.
Dr Liu stressed that both vaccines are safe. Quadrivalent influenza vaccines will be used in the GVP 2015/16. The vaccine compositions of the 2015/16 seasonal influenza vaccine are different from those in 2014/15. Protection from seasonal influenza develops about two to four weeks after getting the vaccination and may last up to six months at least. It is usually well tolerated apart from occasional soreness at the injection site. In rare instances, the recipient may experience fever, muscle and joint pains and tiredness after vaccination lasting one to two days.
"As for the pneumococcal vaccine, protection will be generated in two to three weeks after inoculation," he said.
"People who have flu symptoms, fever or are severely ill at the time of vaccination should defer the vaccination and wait until they have recovered. Patients can enquire at the respective specialist or general out-patient clinics they are attending, or make general enquiry at the HA hotline 2300 6555 during office hours."
The HA will promote the vaccination programme through various channels, including the display of notices at prominent places in public hospitals, specialist out-patient clinics and general out-patient clinics.
Ends/Thursday, October 8, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:48
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