The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     In support of the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, the Hospital Authority (HA) set up a Vaccine Allergy Safety Clinic at Grantham Hospital (GH) of Hong Kong West Cluster earlier to provide an assessment service and vaccination advice for referral cases with history of allergies.
 
     The HA spokesperson said, "According to earlier experience of the assessment service, nearly 98 per cent of people with history of allergies and seeking consultation at the Vaccine Allergy Safety Clinic are eventually confirmed to be suitable for vaccination. In light of the rapid and continuous surge in referral cases recently, the HA decided to refine the service model by arranging for other hospital clusters to assist and speed up the assessment service, so that people suitable for vaccination can consider receiving vaccination as soon as possible.
 
     "There are currently over 4,000 cases in the waiting list of the Vaccine Allergy Safety Clinic, including around 1,200 with allergic reactions after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine and around 2,800 with history of allergies but not yet vaccinated. In accordance with the prevailing mechanism, the Vaccine Allergy Safety Clinic has scheduled consultation dates based on the service quota, the allergy conditions of the referred cases and the sequence of referral. With the rapid surge in referrals, the waiting time for consultation has been continuously prolonged.
 
     "To expedite the assessment service, various hospital clusters under the HA will deploy specialists to assist in the assessment of the 2,800 people who have not yet been vaccinated, with reference to the clinical assessment guidelines prepared by the Vaccine Allergy Safety Clinic. These people on the waiting list will soon be informed of an updated appointment date for an assessment before the end of this September."
 
     The Vaccine Allergy Safety Clinic at GH will refine its service model to focus on people with allergic reactions after vaccination. There are currently around 1,200 cases on the waiting list. Generally speaking, people who present with post-vaccination allergic reactions require further clinical assessment to ensure their safety. They are not suitable, nor have the urgency, to receive the same kind of vaccine in the near future.
 
     The HA spokesperson expressed understanding for the inconvenience caused by the scheduling arrangement to the people on the waiting list. The new arrangement will hopefully match the vaccination needs of the community. The spokesperson also expressed gratitude to the Clinic as well as all hospital clusters for their concerted efforts in speeding up the assessment service.

Ends/Tuesday, August 10, 2021
Issued at HKT 17:00

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