To reduce the risk of influenza infection and in accordance with the Government’s Influenza Vaccination Programme for 2006-07, the General Out-Patient Clinics (GOPCs) and Specialist Out-Patient Clinics of the Hospital Authority will start providing influenza vaccination to eligible people from today (November 6) until the end of December.
Eligible people include the followings:
1. Paediatric outpatients with chronic diseases or on long term aspirin therapy;
2. Elderly aged 65 or above with chronic diseases and are being followed up in public clinics;
3. Recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) in the following categories:
i. People with chronic diseases of all ages;
ii. Elderly aged 65 or above;
iii. All pregnant women with antenatal appointments in public clinics.
Poultry workers and people who are involved in poultry culling operation, as referred by relevant departments, can also receive influenza vaccination in 23 designated outpatient clinics from today.
To facilitate patients receiving vaccination programme at the clinics, a Hospital Authority spokesperson advised patients to attend the clinics and receive vaccination at the time of their pre-scheduled follow-up appointment. Patients whose follow-up appointment date fell outside the specified vaccination period should enquire at the clinics for necessary arrangement.
“Those who are eligible and who wish to receive vaccination should attend the outpatient clinics while bringing along relevant documents, including Hong Kong Identity Card, Hospital Authority outpatient clinic appointment slip, CSSA certificate and vaccination authorisation issued by the Government. They will be vaccinated if assessed as clinically suitable by clinic staff.”
“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 spokesperson said.
As in previous years, the authority will also start its routine annual Influenza Vaccination Programme for public hospital long-stay inpatients from today. The programme covers inpatients of infirmary and psycho-geriatric units, inpatients who are mentally-ill and mentally handicapped, inpatients with chronic diseases, paediatric inpatients with chronic diseases or on long-term aspirin therapy. Vaccination for authority staff on voluntary basis has already started.