30 Jul 2009
Speaking at a press conference today (July 30), the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection(CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), Dr Thomas Tsang, said Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) would be introduced in DH's updated Childhood Immunisation Programme (CIP) starting September 1, 2009.
Under the updated CIP, all infants born on or after July 1, 2009 are eligible to receive free PCV vaccinations at the Department's Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHC) during scheduled CIP visits. An estimated 70 000 newborns will be covered annually. When the baby reaches two months old, he/she will receive the first dose of pneumococcal vaccine.
In addition, a one-off catch-up PCV vaccination will be provided free for eligible children born between September 1, 2007 and June 30 this year inclusive at MCHC.
Explaining the PCV vaccination arrangement, Dr Tsang said, "If your child was born on or after September 1, 2007, check if he/she has a scheduled MCHC vaccination visit for other vaccines between this September and November. If yes, your child will get the catch-up vaccination during the scheduled visit at MCHC and there is no need to book a separate visit. If your child does not have a scheduled MCHC visit between this September and November, please come to your MCHC in person to obtain an advanced vaccination appointment. Booking for appointment slots will start on August 3 at all MCHCs during Mondays to Fridays, and the vaccination visit itself will take place on Sundays, the first one being September 6."
Parents/Carers are reminded to bring the child's Hong Kong Birth Certificate or other valid identity documents showing his/her resident status as well as all immunisation records to obtain an appointment. It is not necessary to bring the child along to MCHC to get an appointment.
A total of 29 MCHC will be opened on Sundays starting from September 6. They will be manned by Auxiliary Medical Service nurse supervisors and trained vaccinators. Cheung Chau and Mui Wo MCHCs will not open on Sundays. Parents of children who have registered with these MCHCs may call the respective MCHC for vaccination arrangement during the session time.
A telephone line (2125 2125) has been set up to handle public enquiries, which will operate Monday through Friday from 9am to 5:30pm.
Latest information on the updated CIP can be obtained from the Department's Family Health Service website ( http://www.fhs.gov.hk ) and the CHP website ( http://www.chp.gov.hk ).