Cervical cancer vaccination scheme expanded to cover more girls
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The Community Care Fund (CCF) announced today (April 3) the expansion of the coverage of the cervical cancer vaccination scheme to benefit more girls.
The Free Cervical Cancer Vaccination Pilot Scheme was launched in October 2016 with funding from CCF for a duration of three years to provide free cervical cancer vaccination for girls from eligible low-income families. Girls who are aged nine to 18 receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance and those who are aged nine or above receiving the full grant under the School Textbook Assistance Scheme (STAS) can receive free vaccination. As at the end of March 2018, around 12 300 girls have received service under the scheme.
Starting from today, the coverage of the scheme is expanded to cover girls aged nine to 18 from households benefiting from the Working Family Allowance Scheme (known as the Low-income Working Family Allowance Scheme before April 1); and female students, aged nine or above, who receive the half grant under the STAS. Female students receiving the half grant under the STAS who join the Pilot Scheme will be required to pay $100 for each dose of vaccine. The scheme is now renamed the Cervical Cancer Vaccination Pilot Scheme.
The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (FPAHK), the implementing agent of the Pilot Scheme, will provide eligible applicants with vaccination and related services at the three Youth Health Care Centres in Wan Chai, Mong Kok and Kwai Fong. Eligible applicants may call these centres to book their first appointment. At the first appointment, applicants must bring along documentary proof in person for processing the application and arrangements will be made for them to undergo clinical assessment prior to vaccination. Applicants under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at their first appointment.
The publicity leaflet of the Pilot Scheme is now available at the Youth Health Care Centres, Women's Clubs and clinics of the FPAHK, Social Security Field Units of the Social Welfare Department, clinics and health centres under the Department of Health, and the Working Family Allowance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency.
Eligibility criteria, application procedures and other details of the Pilot Scheme are available at CCF's website (www.communitycarefund.hk) and the FPAHK website (www.famplan.org.hk/ccfvaccine). For enquiries, please call the Pilot Scheme hotline at 2919 7878 or email ccfvaccine@famplan.org.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Issued at HKT 9:15
Issued at HKT 9:15
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