​The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, today (September 23) said she was delighted to know that the Hospital Authority (HA) will soon roll out COVID-19 vaccination stations in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Tuen Mun Hospital and Queen Mary Hospital. The new measure will enable members of the public including elderly persons who visit specialist out-patient clinics for follow-up to, upon receiving advice from doctors that they are suitable for vaccination, get vaccinated at the stations immediately.

     Professor Chan said, "While the epidemic situation in Hong Kong is by and large stabilised, the pandemic situation worldwide remains severe, particularly with the ravages of the mutant virus. We are most worried about the groups of senior citizens, chronic patients and other immunocompromised people because they face a high risk of deteriorating condition and death once infected. As I have repeatedly pointed out, all elderly persons who had received influenza vaccines can safely receive COVID-19 vaccines. If they have chronic diseases, they should get vaccinated for protection once their condition is stable. I strongly appeal to the elderly to get vaccinated before the winter influenza season without delay.

     "The COVID-19 vaccination stations to be set up in the three hospitals can help citizens visiting the out-patient clinics for follow-up to get vaccinated. Details will be announced in due course."

     Professor Chan attended the Yau Tsim Mong Elderly Vaccination Day organised by the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon (LST) at Kwun Chung Sports Centre in Kwun Chung Municipal Services Building today and called on the elderly to get vaccinated for self-protection. Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre Express was the participating organisation of the event. Professor Chan said, "I am delighted to learn that over 100 elderly people joined the activity today. I would also like to thank the LST for organising this one-stop activity to provide both vaccine information and vaccination service for the elderly to grasp a better understanding of the information and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines through a health talk. At the same time, the LST healthcare workers also helped to answer enquiries from the elderly on-site to strengthen their confidence in vaccination."

     After the talk, the elderly people who opted for receiving the Sinovac vaccine were escorted to get vaccinated at the Community Vaccination Centre (CVC) in Kwun Chung Sports Centre, while those who opted for the BioNTech vaccine were arranged to take designated transport to the CVC at Boundary Street Sports Centre for vaccination.

     At present, elderly persons and other eligible citizens can get vaccinated by collecting a same-day ticket at over 20 CVCs without prior booking. Moreover, the Elderly Health Centres of the Department of Health, the HA and the District Health Centres also provide and continue to enhance COVID-19 vaccination services for elderly people with a view to providing them with one-stop vaccination services.

     "Persons who are not yet vaccinated, especially senior citizens, chronic patients and other immunocompromised persons, should get vaccinated for their own health as early as possible. Members of the public who support the Early Vaccination for All campaign can protect themselves and also help build a protective barrier for Hong Kong, thus enabling the city to return to normality as soon as possible," she added.

Ends/Thursday, September 23, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:31

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