Secretary for Health receives vaccinations against seasonal influenza and COVID-19
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, received vaccinations against seasonal influenza and COVID-19 at Sai Wan Ho General Out-patient Clinic today (Sept. 24).
The Under Secretary for Health, Libby Lee; the Director of Health, Ronald Lam; the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), Edwin Tsui; the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare of the Health Bureau, Pang Fei-chau; the Chairman of the Hospital Authority (HA), Henry Fan; the Chief Executive of the HA, Tony Ko; and frontline healthcare workers also echoed the move and were vaccinated.
Professor Lo said, "Seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications. I strongly appeal to all members of the public to receive SIV early as it is now the best timing to get vaccinated for effective protection in the coming year against the influenza strains predicted by the World Health Organization in preparation for the possible winter or summer influenza seasons."
"Separately, individuals of high-risk priority groups should also receive an additional COVID-19 booster no less than six months after the last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later) to enhance protection and reduce the risks of serious complications and death."
At present, around 870 kindergartens and childcare centers (80 percent) have already arranged vaccination activities for their schoolchildren. Among them, 246 schools will offer LAIV, eight schools will offer both IIV and LAIV, and the rest will offer IIV. Separately, around 610 primary schools (93 percent) and around 390 secondary schools (77 percent) have arranged vaccination activities for their students.
Professor Lo added, "I call on those schools that have yet to join the outreach vaccination program to enrol as soon as possible to seize the optimum timing for vaccination and do their part to provide the best protection for schoolchildren."
The Government will launch the 2024/25 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programmes, including the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme, the Government Vaccination Programme, the SIVSOP and the Residential Care Home Vaccination Programme the day after tomorrow (September 26) to provide free or subsidized SIV for persons aged 50 or above (including the elderly living in residential care homes); adults aged 18 to 49 with underlying comorbidities; persons aged 6 months or above with immunocompromising conditions; pregnant women and healthcare workers etc.
For more details, members of the public may call the CHP at 2125 2125 or visit the Vaccination Schemes page.
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