By The SUN
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| CE Lee (center) gets his flu shot, and calls on everyone to do the same before winter sets in |
Senior government
officials led by Chief Executive John Lee
received seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) today, Thursday, to encourage the
public to also get their shots early in preparation for the coming winter flu
season.
CE Lee said receiving the flu vaccine this year is of particular importance compared with previous years because people are more likely to get the flu now that the immunity they acquired from having had Covid-19 vaccinations has waned.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
He said people who get sick of the flu and Covid-19 at the same time could face serious consequences.
"A person may suffer from serious illnesses after getting infected with influenza. Co-infection with influenza and Covid-19 may result in more serious complications and even death,” said Lee.
He said getting vaccinated early is particularly important for those in high-risk groups such as the elderly and young children.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
To emphasize the importance of this message, Hong Kong residents aged 50 or above can get both their Covid-19 shot and a free SIV at the same time when they visit any community vaccination centre.
They can also make prior reservations for receiving both vaccinations through the booking system of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Health Protection reported a total of 4,318 Covid-19 infections today, of which 325 were imported cases.
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Six Covid patients have died, while 1,669 others are receiving treatment in public hospitals.
Health Secretary, Prof Lo Chung-mau, said that the decision to provide Covid vaccine at the same time as the influenza shots is in line with the consensus reached among members of the Scientific Committee under the Department of Health.
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| Press for details |
He said a number of venues, including designated facilities of the Hospital Authority and the DH, have started providing both vaccines at the same time.
“As it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies afterwards, I strongly appeal to members of the public to receive vaccination early," he said.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
Under the government vaccination program, free or subsidized flu vaccines are given to eligible persons, including care homes for the elderly and persons with disabilities as well as those in child care centres, children aged 6 months to under 12, persons aged 50 or above, pregnant women, persons with intellectual disability and recipients of Disability Allowance.
For more information, members of the public may call the CHP at 2125 2125 or browse the dedicated webpage on Vaccination Schemes.
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