Hong Kong to subsidize vaccinations for young and elderly

Health authorities in Hong Kong will provide flu vaccination subsidies to children aged between six months and six years and the elderly aged 65 or above starting from Oct. 19, the Center for Health Protection said Monday.

Children aged six or above who are Hong Kong residents and attending kindergartens or child care centers are also entitled to the subsidy covering seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations, said Thomas Tsang, controller of the center.

"The (subsidized vaccination) schemes are expected to reduce hospitalization rate, related complications and mortality as a result of the infections," he said.

Parents may bring their eligible children to doctors who have enrolled in the scheme starting from October 19 this year until March 31 next year. The enrolled doctors will be reimbursed 80 HK dollars (10.3 U.S. dollar) by the Hog Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government for the cost of the vaccine.

Source: Xinhua