The latest round of the Government's free seasonal influenza vaccinations started today for people in nine target groups. The programme will run until March 31.
Centre for Health Protection Controller Thomas Tsang today visited an elderly home in Tsuen Wan to observe the implementation of the Government Vaccination Programme in residential care homes.
Speaking on possible adverse reactions to the jabs, Dr Tsang said medical conditions like Guillain Barre Syndrome, spontaneous abortions and stillbirths occur naturally regardless of vaccination.
Statistics show that up to eight cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome occur each month during October and December, and up to 220 stillbirths are recorded by the Department of Health each year, he added.
"Our objective in providing free influenza vaccination is to protect the elderly and other target groups from the complications of influenza infection by immunisation before the arrival of the peak influenza season," he said.
Target groups
In addition to the elderly in care homes, other target groups eligible for free vaccination are:
* long-stay residents of institutions for the disabled;
* elderly people aged 65 or above, with chronic illness and receiving ongoing care in public clinics, as well as those receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance;
* people under 65 with chronic illnesses who are on CSSA, and some long-time Hospital Authority in-patients who have chronic illnesses;
* healthcare workers of the Department of Health, Hospital Authority and other government departments, as well as healthcare workers in elderly homes or institutions for the disabled;
* children aged six months to six years in families receiving CSSA;
* pregnant women receiving CSSA;
* poultry workers or staff who may be involved in poultry culling operations; and,
* pig farmers and pig-slaughtering industry personnel.
Pneumococcal vaccination
Free pneumococcal vaccine will be available to those aged 65 or above living in residential care homes, with chronic illness and receiving ongoing care in public clinics, or those receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, if they have not received the vaccination previously.
Pneumococcal vaccination for the elderly is available throughout the year. Eligible people can receive vaccinations from Department of Health or Hospital Authority clinics.
Residents and staff of residential care homes for the elderly and disabled will receive free vaccinations in their institutions by private doctors under the Residential Care Home Vaccination Programme.
Subsidised vaccination will also be provided through private doctors to eligible people under the Childhood Influenza Vaccination Subsidy Scheme and the Elderly Vaccination Subsidy Scheme. The vaccination period for both is also November 1 to March 31.
Telephone hotline 2125 2125 has been set up to answer public enquiries relating to the vaccination programmes and subsidy schemes. Click here here for more details.
