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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 14) urged the public, particularly young children, the elderly and persons with chronic illnesses, to get vaccinated early, as the latest surveillance data showed that local influenza activity had been increasing and the winter season is expected to arrive in the next few weeks.
The percentage positive for seasonal influenza viruses steadily increased from 1.22 per cent in the week ending December 12, 2015, to 5.18 per cent last week among respiratory specimens received by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch. Among influenza virus detections last week, 51 per cent were A(H1N1)pdm09 while 28 per cent were B.
Turning to influenza-like illness, the number of outbreaks in institutions and schools rose from four (affecting 34 persons) last week to eight (33 persons) this week as of yesterday (January 13). The influenza-associated admission rate in public hospitals among children aged under 5 and elderly aged 65 or above increased respectively from 0.21 and 0.03 cases per 10 000 persons in the week ending December 12, 2015, to 0.61 and 0.08 respectively last week.
Detailed surveillance data are carried in the weekly Flu Express report (www.chp.gov.hk/en/guideline1_year/29/134/441/304.html) published today.
As of January 10, about 350 000 doses of seasonal influenza vaccines had been administered under the Government Vaccination Programme (GVP), while about 170 000 had been administered under the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme, i.e. about 520 000 in total, an increase of 22 per cent compared to the same period in 2014/15.
"Regarding the GVP's stock, less than 50 000 doses are now left. We expect that they may be depleted shortly around Lunar New Year. Eligible groups yet to be vaccinated should do so early for better protection before the influenza season arrives, as antibodies take about two weeks to develop. Vaccination services will continue until all vaccines are used up. The public may refer to the notice to be displayed in respective clinics/centres," a spokesman for the CHP said.
The public may visit the GVP page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/18630.html) for the list of General Out-patient Clinics and Elderly Health Centres where vaccines are still available. They may also call the CHP hotline (2125 2125) for enquiries during office hours.
Alternatively, eligible persons can also receive vaccination with $160 subsidy per dose via the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme. The public may refer to the list of enrolled private doctors in the eHealth system (https://apps.hcv.gov.hk/SDIR/EN/index.aspx).
Influenza activities in neighbouring and overseas areas have also been on the rise, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Taiwan where A(H1N1)pdm09 was predominating. In the Mainland, while A and B were co-circulating, among A detections, the major circulating virus was A(H1N1)pdm09 in southern provinces and A(H3N2) in northern provinces.
"We will continue to closely monitor local and overseas influenza activities as the winter season approaches," the spokesman said.
Ends/Thursday, January 14, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:48
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