Pneumococcal Vaccination Programme Phase II to commence
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The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (March 20) announced that the second phase of the Pneumococcal Vaccination Programme under the Government Vaccination Programme 2017/18 will commence next Monday (March 26). Public hospitals and out-patient clinics will start providing alternative mop-up pneumococcal vaccine doses for eligible persons (see attached table).
The spokesperson said the HA started the first phase of the Pneumococcal Vaccination Programme on October 25, 2017, by offering pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) for eligible elderly persons without previous pneumococcal vaccination history. So far, vaccination has been arranged for more than 30 000 eligible senior citizens.
The spokesperson pointed out that the arrangement for pneumococcal vaccination is based on the recommendations of the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (SCVPD) of the Department of Health to include PCV13 vaccine in the Government Vaccination Programme and to arrange for eligible elderly persons to receive two different doses of pneumococcal vaccine, i.e. 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (23vPPV) and PCV13, to strengthen their immunity for better protection.
"Under the Phase II Programme which will commence next week, eligible elderly people with previous pneumococcal vaccination history (either PCV13 vaccine or 23vPPV vaccine) and who have been vaccinated for a year will be arranged to receive an alternative mop-up pneumococcal vaccination (either PCV13 or 23vPPV). To ensure better protection for the elderly, the mop-up dose will be arranged for eligible persons upon a year after the vaccination of either type of pneumococcal vaccine," the spokesperson explained.
"Eligible elderly people currently following up at General or Specialist Outpatient Clinics can consider receiving the vaccination during their follow-up appointment by bringing along relevant documents (see attached table). They will receive vaccination if assessed as clinically suitable by clinical staff."
The spokesperson also reminded the elderly not to receive the vaccination when they have influenza symptoms. Members of the public are welcome to make enquiries at the HA hotline 2300 6555 during office hours or visit the HA website (www.ha.org.hk/got/GVP201718/EN) for detailed information.
Ends/Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Issued at HKT 15:15
Issued at HKT 15:15
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