28 Dec 2009
Hundreds of private doctors in Hong Kong today (December 28) started to provide government-subsidised human swine influenza vaccinations, joining Hospital Authority (HA) and Department of Health (DH) clinics.
Under the Human Swine Influenza Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (HSIVSS), three target groups, namely chronic patients and pregnant women, children aged from six months to under six years and elderly aged 65 or above, can receive subsidised human swine influenza (HSI) vaccination from private doctors who have joined the scheme.
To enjoy the subsidy, vaccine recipients should be Hong Kong residents. They are reminded to bring along their identity document for vaccination.
Those aged six or above and studying in local kindergartens or child care centres can also receive subsidised vaccinations by presenting documentary proof of preschool education, such as a student handbook.
Those patronising private doctors can get the jabs from a private doctor enrolled in the scheme, or receive vaccinations at an HA General Outpatient Clinic (for chronic patients) or a DH Maternal and Child Health Centre (for pregnant women) as appropriate.
Patients who seek medical care at private doctors who do not provide HSI vaccinations can ask their private doctors to complete a referral form designed by the DH and then bring along the referral form to the HA and DH clinics to receive vaccinations.
The Government will provide a subsidy of $129 per dose, including $79 to cover the vaccine cost and $50 for the injection fee.
The list of some 900 private doctors' clinics enrolled in the HSIVSS, their addresses and telephone numbers along with additional fees charged are available from the CHP website at
www.chp.gov.hk
.
Participating doctors are required to display the scheme logo and poster in the waiting room of their clinic stating the injection fee exclusive of the government subsidy.
Since the availability of the vaccines in enrolled doctors' clinics may change from time to time depending on their actual consumption, those who opt to get vaccination from private doctors are advised to contact the clinics before consultation to enquire about vaccine availability and the fees to be paid.
For more information about the HSI vaccination programme, please visit the CHP website or call the enquiry line at 2125 2125.