Public Hospitals to Offer Seasonal Influenza Vaccinations Starting September 26 for Eligible Individuals.

HA commences seasonal influenza vaccination programme

Public hospitals and outpatient clinics of the Hospital Authority (HA) will start providing seasonal influenza vaccinations to eligible persons starting from next Thursday (September 26) to dovetail with the Government Vaccination Programme 2024/25.

Under the Government Vaccination Programme 2024/25, the HA will mainly provide seasonal influenza vaccinations to eligible patients with regular attendance to public hospitals and outpatient clinics, including:

The list of public hospitals and outpatient clinics providing vaccinations is set out in the Annex.

Eligible patients may receive vaccinations at the time of their scheduled follow-up appointments at clinics. Patients with a distant follow-up appointment date may visit or contact the respective clinics for necessary arrangements.

The Chief Infection Control Officer of the HA, Dr Raymond Lai, appealed to members of the public to receive vaccinations early. "High-risk individuals such as chronic disease patients, the elderly and children, and even healthy people, may develop severe complications after an influenza infection, leading to serious illness or death. As Hong Kong is about to enter winter, the risk of influenza transmission increases. Vaccinations can enhance immunity against influenza and greatly reduce the risk of serious illness or death from infection. Protection will develop in about two to four weeks after inoculation and last for at least six months, which would protect members of the public during the winter influenza season."

According to the recommendations from the Centre for Health Protection, COVID-19 vaccines can be administered at the same time with other vaccines, including seasonal influenza vaccines. General Outpatient Clinics (GOPCs) will provide both COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations for eligible patients while medical staff will offer advice based on their vaccination history.

In addition, poultry workers, pig farmers and people who are involved in the pig-slaughtering industry, as referred by relevant government departments, can also receive seasonal influenza vaccination in selected GOPCs starting from October 17 (Thursday).

Members of the public can enquire about the details of this year's seasonal influenza vaccination programme at the respective specialist outpatient clinics or GOPCs they are attending, or make enquiries on the HA hotline 2300 6555 during office hours.

Hospital Authority appeals to public for baby requiring urgent heart transplant

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson for the Hospital Authority (HA) made the following appeal today (October 11) regarding the condition of a patient who requires urgent heart transplant.

A 3-month-old baby girl who requires urgent heart transplant is currently in critical condition at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of the Hong Kong Children's Hospital. In response to an urgent appeal from her parents, the HA appeals to members of the public to actively support organ donations and consider donating the heart of deceased relatives to give new life to others.

Given the critical condition of the patient, in addition to proactively searching for a suitable heart locally, the HA will also seek assistance from the Mainland through relevant procedures as soon as possible. When a patient willing to donate an organ has passed away and no suitable patient is identified on the Mainland, the cross-boundary organ donation and matching mechanism will facilitate a transplant in Hong Kong to bring hope to a critically ill patient.

The spokesperson emphasised that when a suitable heart is found, the HA will strictly follow the relevant organ transplant regulations and make an application with the authorities to ensure that all procedures comply with relevant standards and regulatory requirements. The HA will arrange transplant operations with an aim to save the patient's life as soon as possible.

For critically ill patients with organ failure, an organ transplant is often the only hope for extending life. When deceased patients and their families make the selfless decision to donate organs for patients in need of organ transplantation, it not only gives critically ill patients the hope of life but also eases their families' hardships. The HA appeals to the public to extend their compassion, blessings, and care to those still fighting for their lives.