People aged 65 or above can receive seasonal influenza vaccination from next week
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To dovetail with the second phase of the Government Vaccination Programme for 2016-17, community elderly people aged 65 or above can receive seasonal influenza vaccination at the General Outpatient Clinics (GOPCs) of the Hospital Authority (HA) starting from next Monday (November 14).
The HA Chief Manager (Infection, Emergency & Contingency), Dr Liu Shao-haei, today (November 11) said that the public hospitals and outpatient clinics under HA has offered the first phase of seasonal influenza vaccination for almost 64 000 eligible persons since November 3.
The vaccination service is provided at 73 GOPCs in the territory. Addresses and telephone numbers of the 73 GOPCs are accessible at the following link: www.ha.org.hk/goto/GOPC-GVP201617/EN. Eligible community elderly persons aged 65 or above can conveniently choose to receive the vaccination in any clinic near their residing district. No prior booking is required.
"Those eligible elderly people who have follow-up appointments in GOPCs or specialist outpatient clinics in the coming few weeks can also choose to receive vaccination when they attend their scheduled appointments," Dr Liu added.
"Eligible elderly persons only need to bring the valid documents, including their Hong Kong identity cards, Vaccination Records and HA outpatient clinic appointment slips (if available), and approach the staff at the Registration Counter of the clinic. The staff will then arrange for vaccination. The service hours for vaccination at GOPCs are from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding evenings, weekends and public holidays. All outpatient clinics will display posters in prominent places to inform the public of the vaccination arrangements."
Dr Liu also reminded the elderly not to receive the vaccination when they have influenza symptoms, fever or severe illness. The vaccination is not suitable for anyone with the above symptoms. They should defer the vaccination until they have recovered. Members of the public can make enquiries on the HA hotline 2300 6555 during office hours or visit the website www.ha.org.hk/goto/GVP201617/EN for detailed information.
Ends/Friday, November 11, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:45
Issued at HKT 16:45
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