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The Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), Dr Leung Ting-hung, today (October 8) announced that the Government would provide free influenza vaccination to all elderly people aged 65 or above as well as free and subsidised vaccination to persons with intellectual disabilities (PIDs) apart from other eligible groups in preparation for the upcoming possible 2015/16 influenza season.
"In view of community influenza outbreaks severely affecting the elderly and those with underlying illnesses during the last winter season in early 2015, and their higher risk of developing severe complications or death, we will expand the scope to encourage all elderly aged 65 or above to receive free vaccination from the public sector. A more organised and comprehensive vaccination approach will also be adopted for PIDs in both the public and private sector. We hope that the new initiatives can boost the overall vaccination coverage, particularly among the elderly, for better protection before the influenza season arrives," Dr Leung told the media today.
The Government Vaccination Programme (GVP), including the Residential Care Home Vaccination Programme (RVP), and the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS) 2015/16 will be launched in phases from October 15 onwards.
1. GVP
From October 15, elderly patients aged 65 or above currently being followed up in public clinics under the Hospital Authority (HA) or the DH or admitted to hospitals of the HA can receive influenza vaccination for free. In addition, PIDs who are patients of the HA or designated clinics of the DH can receive free vaccination.
In the next phase, tentatively in early November, elderly aged 65 or above living in the community can receive free vaccination from all 73 General Out-patient Clinics under the HA and 10 designated Elderly Health Centres of the DH (see attachment 1).
2. RVP
From October 15, PIDs of designated institutions, including designated day centres, sheltered workshops and special schools, can receive free vaccination from enrolled Visiting Medical Officers who will be reimbursed $50 per dose.
3. VSS
Starting from October 15, PIDs who are Hong Kong residents and holders of the Registration Card for People with Disabilities with indication of intellectual disability or a medical certificate which indicates the person is a PID or eligible for the scheme can receive subsidised vaccination from enrolled private doctors. The subsidy per dose will be $160 while a maximum of two doses per person will be subsidised for eligible PIDs aged below nine who have never been vaccinated before.
In parallel, the original vaccination programmes for other eligible groups will remain effective in the new season. From October 15, under the GVP (including the RVP), ongoing free influenza vaccination will be provided to other eligible groups at public clinics and hospitals as well as residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) and residential care homes for the disabled (RCHDs) (see attachment 2). Pneumococcal vaccination will continue for eligible elderly.
Regarding the VSS, eligible children aged between six months and under six years (or six years old or above attending pre-primary institutions) will be subsidised $160 per dose of influenza vaccine received from enrolled private doctors, while the same $160 subsidy per dose from private doctors for eligible elderly aged 65 or above will remain unchanged, providing ample choices for the elderly from both the public sector and their family doctors.
"We have maintained close liaison with working partners and stakeholders, including the HA, the Social Welfare Department, the Education Bureau, institutions serving PIDs, RCHEs, RCHDs as well as the healthcare sector, and held briefings in advance of the programmes. Apart from vaccination, we will spare no effort to protect the public from the possible winter influenza season by ongoing disease and laboratory surveillance as well as health publicity," Dr Leung said.
The public, especially eligible members, may call the CHP's hotline (2125 2125) for enquiries during office hours, or visit the vaccination schemes page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/17980.html) for more information.
Ends/Thursday, October 8, 2015
Issued at HKT 13:15
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