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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
To reduce the risk of influenza infection and in accordance with the Government¡¦s Influenza Vaccination Programme for 2008-09, the Hospital Authority outpatient clinics will start providing influenza vaccination to eligible people from November 3 until March 31, 2009.
A Hospital Authority spokesman said today (October 21) that eligible people included the following categories of people who attend the authority's outpatient clinics:
1. Paediatric outpatients with chronic diseases or on long-term aspirin therapy.
2. Elderly aged 65 or above with chronic diseases including those who have chronic cardiovascular (except hypertension without complication), pulmonary, metabolic or renal disease.
3. Recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) in the following categories:
i. People with chronic diseases of all ages;
ii. Elderly aged 65 or above;
iii. All pregnant women with antenatal appointments in public clinics.
Poultry workers and people who are involved in poultry culling operation, as referred by relevant departments, can also receive influenza vaccination in 22 designated outpatient clinics from November 17.
To facilitate patients receiving vaccination programme at the clinics, the spokesman advised patients to attend the clinics and receive vaccination at the time of their pre-scheduled follow-up appointment. Patients whose follow-up appointment date falls outside the specified vaccination period should enquire at the clinics for necessary arrangement.
¡§Those eligible people who wish to receive vaccination should attend the outpatient clinics while bringing along relevant documents, including Hong Kong identity card, Hospital Authority outpatient clinic appointment slip, CSSA certificate and vaccination authorisation issued by the Government. They will be vaccinated if assessed as clinically suitable by clinic staff.¡¨
As in previous years, the authority will start its routine annual Influenza Vaccination Programme for public hospital long-stay inpatients from November 3. 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. The authority will also arrange vaccination for staff and volunteers on voluntary basis from early November.
¡§Influenza vaccine is very safe. Protection provided by vaccination develops about two weeks after getting a flu shot and may last up to one year. 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 beginning six to 12 hours after vaccination and lasting up to two days.¡¨
¡§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 a general enquiry at the Hospital Authority hotline 2300 6555 during office hours.¡¨
Ends/Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:31
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