Hongkongers aged 18 to 49 with chronic illnesses can soon receive subsidised flu jabs
The new move would help to identify the city's hidden population with chronic illnesses and provide them with stronger community healthcare support services, according to a government source on Friday.
'Apart from encouraging more people to get vaccinated against the flu, the expansion will also help authorities to identify more residents with chronic illnesses when they make declarations [of their condition], so that they can be better supported with electronic health information and district health centres,' the source said.
Details of the plan are expected to be announced later.
Currently, the government provides free or subsidised seasonal influenza vaccination to residents aged 6 months to 18 years, and those aged 50 or older. Those aged 18 to 49 are only eligible if they are disabled or if they are social security recipients with chronic illnesses.
High-risk groups, such as residents of care homes, healthcare workers and those who work in the poultry and animal slaughter industries, are also eligible.
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