Dr. Lam Urges Quick Vaccination to Boost Seasonal Flu Immunity in Schools

Director of Health inspects arrangements for Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach and urges schools to advance vaccination activities as much as possible

The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, visited Kiangsu & Chekiang Primary School (International Section) in North Point this morning (October 28) to inspect the arrangements for the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV) School Outreach. He also urged schools to complete their vaccination activities as early as possible to provide convenience for parents. Working together to boost the vaccination rates can help reduce the risk of serious illness and death from seasonal influenza among children.

"From what I observed on-site, the vaccination process proceeded very smoothly for students, regardless of whether they chose the injectable inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV) or the live attenuated influenza vaccines (i.e. nasal LAIV). This is attributable to the thoughtful arrangements and thorough preparation by the outreach team and the school administration in advance. To encourage schoolchildren to receive the SIV, the Department of Health (DH) has introduced enhancement measures this year. All schools may opt for the nasal LAIV and the 'hybrid mode', which allows schools to choose both the IIV and the nasal LAIV during the same or different outreach vaccination activities," Dr Lam said.

"To boost SIV rates, enrolment for the SIV School Outreach Programme has started since the beginning of June this year, which was earlier than last year. With the concerted efforts of the Government and various community sectors (including the medical sector and schools), approximately 2 300 schools (99 per cent) are going to arrange SIV school outreach activities. Since the start of the school year, about 980 schools have held SIV school outreach activities, which is higher than the approximately 800 schools during the same period last season. Moreover, around 2 190 schools (95 per cent) have scheduled to carry this out by the end of next month (November), which is higher than last year's 83 per cent. All in all, this season's school outreach activities will generally be completed earlier than last season. Twenty-three schools have earlier responded to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP)'s call to advance their outreach activities, originally scheduled for December this year or January next year, to be held by the end of next month. In view of the possibility of the overlap of summer and winter influenza seasons, I urge the schools originally scheduled to carry out vaccination activities in December this year to advance vaccination activities as much as possible. Should schools encounter any difficulties in advancing their outreach activities, they may contact the CHP during office hours at 3975 4872 and the CHP will provide full assistance," he added.

The Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, accompanied Dr Lam during the visit. "Based on past experience, school outreach can significantly increase the SIV vaccination rate among schoolchildren by more than double. Only through the concerted efforts of the Government, schools and parents to increase vaccination coverage can we effectively strengthen the immune barrier for schoolchildren. Hong Kong is currently in the summer influenza season and there has been a significant increase in influenza-like illness outbreaks in schools since September. As of October 27, a total of 677 outbreaks have been reported in schools since the start of the school year in September, including 71 cases in kindergartens/child care centres, 369 cases in primary schools and 237 cases in secondary schools. Since the start of the school year, 14 severe paediatric influenza cases, including one fatal case, involving children aged 2 to 17 have been recorded. Among them, 11 had good past health. Based on the current level of influenza activity and trend analysis, the local influenza activity is expected to remain at a relatively high level over the next few weeks. Furthermore, viruses tend to become more active when temperatures drop. The winter influenza season in Hong Kong typically occurs between January and March. The current summer influenza season may overlap with the upcoming winter influenza season, which could lead to more hospitalisations due to influenza infection than in previous years," he said.

All persons aged 6 months or above, except those with known contraindications, are recommended to receive the SIV for personal and family protection.The Government has opened all 29 of the DH's Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) for all children aged 6 months to under 2 years to receive vaccine. Moreover, the District Health Centres and District Health Centre Expresses and their service outlets under the Primary Healthcare Commission in the 18 districts, and 74 Family Medicine Clinics and 38 public hospitals of the Hospital Authority to provide more choices for the public. For the list of vaccination venues, please refer to the CHP'sVaccination Schemespage. Parents of eligible children may book an appointment for their children to receive vaccinations at designated MCHCs via theonline booking system.

"Since the SIV programmes' launch, over 1 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccines have been administered under various SIV programmes, representing an approximately 5.4 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. However, the coverage rate among children aged 6 months to under 2 years remains relatively low at about 10 per cent only. We hope all sectors of the society could join hands in appealing parents to arrange SIV for their children, while also educating parents on the importance of vaccination. This will promote a greater vaccine uptake among children, increased vaccination coverage rate and strengthen protection for children," Dr Lam said.

For the latest information on seasonal influenza, members of the public can visit the CHP's seasonal influenzaand Vaccination Schemes page.

Director of Health inspects arrangements for Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach and urges schools to advance vaccination activities as much as possible Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Director of Health inspects arrangements for Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach and urges schools to advance vaccination activities as much as possible Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Director of Health inspects arrangements for Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach and urges schools to advance vaccination activities as much as possible Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Director of Health inspects arrangements for Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach and urges schools to advance vaccination activities as much as possible Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases