The Hong Kong government announced on the 8th the 2015/16 "Government Vaccination Programme," which includes the "Residential Care Home Vaccination Programme" and the "Vaccination Subsidy Scheme." These will be launched in phases starting from the 15th of this month to combat the 2015/16 influenza season that may occur later.
Dr. Leung Ting-hung, Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, stated to the media that day that in addition to the existing eligible groups, under the 2015/16 "Government Vaccination Programme," the HKSAR government will provide free influenza vaccinations to all elderly people aged 65 or above, as well as free and subsidized vaccinations for persons with intellectual disabilities.
He said that given the influenza outbreak in the community during the last winter influenza season in Hong Kong early this year, which severely affected the elderly and chronically ill patients—who are at a higher risk of developing serious complications and death—the HKSAR government has announced an expansion of the vaccination programme. This encourages all elderly people aged 65 or above to receive free vaccinations through public institutions. In addition, public and private organizations will use more systematic and comprehensive arrangements to vaccinate people with intellectual disabilities. "We hope the new arrangements will help increase the overall vaccination rate, especially among the elderly, so that they have better protection before entering the influenza season."
According to the report, the HKSAR "Government Vaccination Programme" has been providing follow-up services at public clinics since October 15. Elderly patients aged 65 or above who are currently admitted to public hospitals can receive the influenza vaccine for free, and people with intellectual disabilities who are patients at designated clinics can also receive it for free. The next phase is tentatively scheduled to launch in early November, when elderly people aged 65 or above living in the community can go to designated clinics or Elderly Health Centres for free vaccinations.
It is reported that there are currently 1.1 million elderly people over the age of 65 in Hong Kong, with a past vaccination rate of about 40%. This year, HK$20 million has been spent to purchase 400,000 doses of vaccine, an increase of 120,000 doses compared to the past. The government hopes to increase the vaccination rate among the elderly through the new programme, thereby reducing cases of complications and death. (Source: China News Service)