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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesman today (July 2) announced that under the Government's 2015 Southern Hemisphere Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SH SIV) Programme, public hospitals and general outpatient clinics (GOPCs), together with Department of Health designated Elderly Health Centres, have already arranged free vaccination for almost 39,000 eligible community-living elderly persons aged 75 or above since the commencement of the programme on May 20. The HA expects the vaccination programme to conclude shortly and would like to appeal to remaining eligible elderly persons aged 75 or above to receive the vaccination as soon as possible.
While anticipating the existing stock of vaccine will be depleted within the next week, the HA has made arrangements for individual GOPCs to display posters in prominent place to inform the public when the stock of vaccine in that particular clinic has depleted. At the same time, daily announcements will be made to inform the public of the list of GOPCs where the vaccine is still available until all is depleted.
The HA spokesman reminded those elders who have influenza symptoms, fever or are severely ill not to receive the vaccination. Members of the public can make enquiry via the HA hotline 2300 6555 during office hours or by visiting the website www.ha.org.hk/goto/SHSIV for detailed information.
Ends/Thursday, July 2, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:35
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