December 18, 2003
The Advisory Committee on Immunization (ACI) is maintaining its existing influenza vaccination recommendations in the 2003-04 season after assessing the influenza situation in Hong Kong.
Dr Thomas Tsang of the Department of Health (DH), who chaired the ACI meeting today (December 18) said: "In view of the outbreaks of the Fujian strain of influenza in some Western countries, the committee reviewed the progress of the extended influenza vaccination programme this year and examined the current local and global epidemiology of influenza.
"The ACI is of the view that the recommendations made in the last meeting in August are to be maintained," Dr Tsang said.
The influenza vaccination programme covers elderly people in residential care homes, long-stay residents of institutions for the mentally and physically disabled as well as healthcare workers.
People aged 65 or above, and people with chronic heart or lung diseases could seek medical advice about influenza vaccination for individual protection against the 2003-04 influenza season.
"The ACI noted that overseas health authorities are conducting investigations into reports of child mortality from the Fujian strain of influenza.
"DH and the Hospital Authority are stepping up surveillance of influenza mortality in children. The ACI will monitor any new findings by overseas and local health authorities," Dr Tsang said.