Acting SFH speaks on flu vaccine
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Reporter: Dr Chui, could you give us an update on the latest situation in terms of the supply of flu vaccines, especially the quadrivalent vaccines in the private market because there is a saying that there is a shortage of them. Also, could you comment on a Mainland health expert who has warned that there would be a new wave of flu, a more dangerous flu, coming in March. What would you have to say about that?
Acting Secretary for Food and Health: For the supply of vaccine to the private market, we have made some assessment through the Department of Health that local drug supplier is still issuing vaccines to private doctors on a daily basis. Because of the anticipation of increase in demand of vaccine, the supplier has promised to have an extra supply of vaccine before the Chinese New Year so that there would be an increase of supply to the private market. The details of the supply will be communicated to individual doctors by the vaccine supplier itself. And, about the development of influenza trend, I think we cannot have a very accurate prediction of what is going to happen and we will keep a close eye on the number of new cases and on the number of severe cases. Of course, we are going to ensure that the public, especially the high-risk groups, will have their vaccine timely.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Friday, January 19, 2018
Issued at HKT 18:54
Issued at HKT 18:54
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