The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesman today (March 10) reminded the eligible persons (see remarks) of the Government Vaccination Programme (GVP) to receive influenza vaccination at public general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) early if they are still considering whether to do so. Under the GVP, public hospitals and GOPCs have already provided vaccination to more than 280 000 people since the commencement of the GVP on November 3 last year.

     The spokesman pointed out that the current stock of several thousand doses of influenza vaccine is expected to be exhausted soon. The HA will continue to liaise with the Department of Health and an additional 10 000 doses of influenza vaccine are scheduled to arrive after mid-March.

     "In anticipation of the depletion of the remaining stockpile of vaccines, the HA has made arrangements to keep the public informed in advance. Individual clinics will display notices in prominent areas to inform the public when the stock of vaccines in each particular clinic is nearly depleted in the coming few days, or when all the vaccines have been depleted. Furthermore, announcement will be made through the website and the mobile application on the list of GOPCs where stocks of vaccines are still available until all are depleted," the spokesman said.

     The spokesman reminded members of the public not to receive the vaccination when they have influenza symptoms, fever or severe illness. The vaccination is not suitable for anyone with the above 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/goto/GVP201617/EN) for detailed information.
 
Remarks:

Eligible persons under the vaccination programme include the following categories:
1. Paediatric outpatients with chronic medical problems or on long-term aspirin therapy;
2. Community-living elderly persons aged 65 or above;
3. Recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) or Hong Kong Residents who hold a valid Certificate for Waiver of Medical Charges under the following categories:
i. Persons with chronic medical problems of all ages;
ii. Persons aged 50 or above;
iii. All pregnant women with antenatal appointments in public clinics;
4. Non-institutionalised persons with intellectual disability and being treated at public hospitals or followed up in public clinics; and
5. Persons receiving Disability Allowance and being treated at public hospitals or followed up in public clinics.

Ends/Friday, March 10, 2017
Issued at HKT 14:07

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