The Hospital Authority (HA) will commence providing seasonal influenza vaccination in public hospitals and out-patient clinics in phases to eligible starting October 5 which will be carried out in three phases.
In the first phase, the HA will provide seasonal influenza vaccination to eligible patients and they will receive the vaccination during their scheduled follow-up appointments at the clinics. Patients who have not had a follow-up appointment recently may visit or contact respective clinics to arrange for vaccination.
The second phase of the programme, extending to elderly people aged 65 or above, will commence on October 24. They can receive vaccination at general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) without prior appointment. Under the third phase of the programme starting from October 30, poultry workers, pig farmers and people who are involved in poultry culling operations or the pig-slaughtering industry, as referred by relevant government departments, can receive seasonal influenza vaccination in selected GOPCs.
Furthermore, the Centre for Health Protection has officially launched the 2023/24 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Subsidy Scheme on 28 September 2023.
Meanwhile, the Migrant Workers Office in Hongkong, in partnership with Shoebill Health Care 思邈健康 started the outreach vaccination activity for the Overseas Filipino Workers on Sunday, 01 October 2023 at Migrant Workers Office, Training Room, at 29/F, United Center Building, Admiralty.
Free Influenza vaccination will be given to all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) turning 50 years old this year and above under the HK Vaccination Subsidy Scheme.
SCHEDULE:
Every Sunday: October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19,26
Every Tuesday: October 10, 24; November 14,28.
The Chairperson of the HA Coordinating Committee in Family Medicine, Dr. Wendy Tsui, appealed to members of the public to receive seasonal influenza vaccination as early as possible. She said, “The overall seasonal influenza activity in Hong Kong remains at a high level since entering the summer influenza season. As winter is approaching, the risk of influenza transmission may increase. However, the immune response level to influenza in the overall population is low, which may lead to a potential influenza outbreak, with additional burdens on vulnerable populations and health systems.”
