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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
In accordance with the Government's Vaccination Programme for 2010-11, the Hospital Authority (HA) out-patient clinics will start providing seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations to eligible persons commencing November 1, 2010 until March 31, 2011.
The HA spokesman today (October 23) said that eligible persons for seasonal influenza vaccination include the following categories of people who attend public out-patient clinics:
1. Paediatric out-patients 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 diseases
3. Recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) in the following categories:
i. Persons with chronic diseases of all ages;
ii. Elderly aged 65 or above;
iii. All pregnant women with antenatal appointments in public clinics
Poultry workers, pig farmers and people who are involved in poultry culling operation or pig-slaughtering industry, as referred by relevant departments, can also receive seasonal influenza vaccination in 21 designated out-patient clinics from November 15.
On the other hand, pneumococcal vaccination will continue to be provided for the elderly this year, including the following categories of eligible persons who attend public out-patients clinics:
1. Elderly aged 65 or above with chronic illness and follow-up in public clinic
2. Elderly aged 65 or above without known chronic illness but on CSSA
To facilitate patients receiving vaccination programme at the clinics, the spokesman advises patients to attend the clinics and receive vaccination at the time of their pre-scheduled follow-up appointment between November 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011. Patients whose follow-up appointment date falls outside the specified vaccination period should enquire at the clinics for necessary arrangement.
"The above mentioned eligible persons who wish to receive vaccination should attend the out-patient clinics while bringing along relevant documents, including Government Vaccination Record Card, Hong Kong identity card, HA out-patient clinic appointment slip, CSSA certificate and vaccination authorisation issued by the Government. They will be vaccinated if assessed as clinically suitable by clinic staff,¡¨the spokesman said.
As in previous years, HA will start its annual seasonal influenza vaccination for long-stay in-patients with chronic diseases in public hospitals from November 1. The programme covers in-patients in infirmary and psychiatric units. The long-stay in-patients aged at 65 or above will additionally be offered for pneumococcal vaccination. HA will also arrange vaccination for staff and volunteers on voluntary basis from mid October.
The HA spokesman stresses that both vaccines are safe. "Protection from seasonal influenza 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."
"As for the pneumococcal vaccine, protection will be generated in two to three weeks after inoculation. We do not recommend those elderly people who have received pneumococcal vaccination within the last five years to re-vaccinate. The vaccination site within a short time after injection may have slight swelling and pain."
"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 where they are attending; or make general enquiry at the HA hotline 2300 6555 during office hours," the spokesman remarked.
The HA will promote the vaccination programme through different channels, including the display of posters (annex) at prominent places of public hospitals, specialist out-patient clinics and general out-patient clinics.
Ends/Saturday, October 23, 2010
Issued at HKT 11:31
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