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In accordance with the Government's Influenza Vaccination Programme, the Hospital Authority (HA) will start its routine Influenza Vaccination Programme from 7 November this year. The programme covers inpatients of infirmary and psycho-geriatric units, inpatients who are mentally ill and mentally handicapped, inpatients with chronic diseases, paediatric inpatients with chronic diseases or on long term aspirin therapy.
Meanwhile, HA's Specialist Out-patient Departments (SOPDs) and General Out-patient Clinics (GOPCs) will provide influenza vaccination to the following eligible persons from 7 November to end December 2005:
1. Paediatric outpatients with chronic diseases or on long term aspirin therapy;
2. Elderly aged 65 or above with chronic diseases and are being followed up in public clinics;
3. Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients in the following categories:
i) Persons with chronic diseases of all age;
ii) Elderly aged 65 or above;
iii) Children aged 6-23 months;
iv) Pregnant women in their 2nd or 3rd trimester with antenatal appointments in public clinics.
Vaccination is also extended to poultry workers and those who are involved in poultry culling operations; and healthcare workers of Resident Care Homes for the Elderly and Resident Care Homes for the Disabled who have not met the vaccination schedule at their work places. Furthermore, HA will arrange vaccination to frontline workers of public hospitals.
Influenza vaccine is very safe and 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 beginning six to 12 hours after vaccination and lasting up to two days.
Only a small percentage of people are not suitable for vaccination. People who intend to receive the vaccination are suggested to consult the doctor or nurse-in-charge prior to the vaccination if they:
1. Ever have a serious allergic reaction to eggs or to previous dose of influenza vaccine; or
2. Have a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS).
People who have fever or are severely ill at the time the vaccination is scheduled should wait until they have recovered before receiving the influenza vaccination. Patients of SOPDs and GOPCs can enquire at his/her own clinics; they can also call the HA hotline at 2300-6555 during office hours.
Ends/Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:59
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