Chief Executive John Lee led a number of principal officials to receive the seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) today and called on the public to get vaccinated as early as possible to build an immunity barrier in the community.
Mr Lee noted that vaccination is one of the most effective means for preventing seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death arising from influenza.
“I appeal to members of the public to get vaccinated as early as possible to protect themselves and their family members,” he added.
Under the vigorous promotion by the Government, and with support from all sectors of the community, more than 2.03 million doses of vaccines were administered under various SIV programmes in the previous year, with overall coverage rates of the target population remaining similar to those of the preceding year.
The SIV rate for people aged 6 months to under 18 years reached 64.8%, which is 13.1 percentage points higher than the average for the same period over the past three seasons.
The vaccination rate for adolescents aged 12 to under 18 years reached 61.4%, representing a substantial increase of 22.6 percentage points compared with the average for the same period over the past three seasons.
The Government-subsidised SIV programmes provide free or subsidised influenza vaccinations to children and adolescents aged 6 months to under 18 years, adults aged 18 to 49 with chronic medical conditions, people aged 50 or above, pregnant women and healthcare workers, and others.
Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said that various SIV programmes have fully commenced last Thursday and urged the public to get inoculated early.
“Since it takes about two weeks after receiving an SIV for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection, I strongly urge members of the public to get vaccinated early,” he said.
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