November 9, 2000
The Department of Health (DH) announced that influenza vaccination for 50 000 residents in more than 700 elderly homes would be implemented from next Monday (November 13) to November 25.
The Assistant Director of Health (Elderly Health Services), Dr Chan Wai-man today (Thursday) said: "Senior citizens living in residential homes, especially those having chronic health problems, should take full advantage of the 4th influenza vaccination programme aimed at boosting their immunity and protecting them against severe complications of influenza infection."
"Outbreaks are more likely to occur in such enclosed settings and the residents have a higher chance of developing complications such as pneumonia."
In addition to receiving influenza vaccination, Dr Chan stressed that it was also important to strengthen one's body resistance at all times through:
This year's vaccination programme will be implemented in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department, non-governmental organisations as well as subvented and private institutions.
Dr Chan said: "Vaccination will be provided free of charge and will be administered by DH vaccination teams and nursing staff of the elderly homes."
"The viral strain composition recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for 2000/2001 for Northern Hemisphere will be used. This means a combination of A/Moscow/10/99 (H3N2) - like virus, A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1) - like virus and B/Beijing/184/93 - like virus."
Dr Chan explained that the vaccination programme was conducted before the end of the year to give sufficient time for the elderly people to build up immunity against influenza before the usual seasonal peak around January to March.
The first three influenza vaccination programmes were successfully implemented in 1999 and 1998 with an overall coverage rate of over 80 percent.
"The programme was effective in protecting senior citizens in elderly homes from severe complications of influenza infection," Dr Chan said.