21 Dec 2009
The Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), Dr Thomas Tsang, today (December 21) visited the Western Student Health Service Centre (SHSC) to observe the implementation of the Human Swine Influenza (HSI) Vaccination Programme.
Dr Tsang called on parents to take their children aged between six months and less than six years to get vaccinated, joining other target groups.
"Timely vaccination before the arrival of the peak season can protect people from complications of HSI," he said.
Parents or guardians can make vaccination appointments for their children at the Department of Health's SHSCs in person.
They are reminded to bring along the child's identity document, immunisation record and written consent for vaccination.
If an SHSC is not fully booked, walk-in vaccinations will also be entertained.
Under the HSI Vaccination Programme, five target groups making up a total of two million people can receive free or subsidised vaccination on a voluntary basis. They are:
- healthcare workers;
- persons with chronic illnesses and pregnant women;
- children between the age of six months and less than six years;
- elderly persons aged 65 years or above; and
- pig farmers and pig-slaughtering industry personnel.
The vaccinations will be given at hospitals, clinics and health centres of the DH and the Hospital Authority (HA) free of charge.
From next Monday (December 28) onwards, three of the five target groups, namely chronic patients and pregnant women, children aged from six months to under six years and elderly aged 65 or above, can opt to receive their vaccination from private doctors who have joined the Human Swine Influenza Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (HSIVSS).
The Government will provide a subsidy of $129 per dose, including $79 to cover the vaccine cost and $50 for the injection fee.
As to the remaining two target groups, healthcare workers can receive vaccinations from their serving medical institutions or the Hospital Authority's designated clinics, while workers in the pig farming and slaughtering industry can get free vaccinations from the authority's designated clinics. They will receive government invitations to receive vaccinations.
For more information about the HSI vaccination programme, please visit the CHP website at
www.chp.gov.hk
or call the enquiry line at 2125 2125.