Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, and the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), Dr Wong Ka-hing, this morning (November 5) visited Maryknoll Fathers’ School (Primary Section) in Sham Shui Po to observe the outreach vaccination arrangements under the School Outreach Vaccination Pilot Programme.
 
     Professor Chan said, “The winter influenza peak usually occurs during January to March or April every year in Hong Kong. Besides high-risk groups such as the elderly, children and immunocompromised patients, healthy people may also contract influenza and develop complications. Seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) is one of the safe and effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications.
 
     “To increase the SIV uptake rate among primary school children, the DH introduced the School Outreach Vaccination Pilot Programme this year to reach out to 184 primary schools and provide SIV to their students through a Government Outreach Team or a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) Team. As of November 1, 2018, over 16 000 doses of seasonal influenza vaccines had been administered via the School Outreach Vaccination Pilot Programme in 31 schools.
 
     Under the pilot scheme, the DH arranged for a PPP Team to provide outreach vaccination today at the primary school that Professor Chan visited. Some 480 pupils consented to receive SIV at the school, representing around 70 per cent of the total number of pupils.
 
     She learnt that the DH’s procurement and delivery of vaccines for the PPP teams have been smooth under the pilot scheme. The DH also arranges to collect unused vaccines and clinical waste, as well as provides administrative support. A total of 36 doctors were recruited to participate in the PPP. An injection fee of $70 per dose is provided to the PPP doctors.
 
     Professor Chan added, “The DH also encourages primary schools, kindergartens and child care centres (KGs/CCCs) not participating in the pilot programme to arrange outreach vaccination for their students through the Enhanced Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS) Outreach Vaccination. As of end-October, 2018, a total of 69 primary schools and 73 KGs/CCCs notified the DH that they would arrange outreach vaccination via the Enhanced VSS programme. In addition, eligible persons can also receive subsidised or free SIV vaccination via the VSS and the Government Vaccination Programme (GVP) respectively.”
 
     As of November 1, 2018, around 25 000 doses had been administered via the Enhanced VSS Outreach Vaccination. Meanwhile, over 87 000 doses of seasonal influenza vaccines had been administered via the GVP and over 174 000 doses via the VSS (including the Enhanced VSS Outreach Vaccination), representing increases of 21 per cent and 54 per cent respectively from the same period in the 2017/18 season.

          

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest provisional figures on restaurant receipts and purchases today (November 5).      The value of total receipts of the restaurants sector in the thi… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (November 7) at 11am, and Thursday (November 8) and Friday (November 9) at 9am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will speak on “Motion of Thanks”, to be moved by Ms Starry Lee, which states: “That this Council thanks the Chief Executive for her address.”

     Mr Wu Chi-wai, Ms Claudia Mo, Dr Fernando Cheung, Dr Kwok Ka-ki, Mr Andrew Wan, Mr Kenneth Leung and Mr Gary Fan will move separate amendments to Ms Starry Lee’s motion.

     During the meeting, Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, all of which require written replies.

     The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Please note that the agenda is subject to change, and the latest information about the agenda could be found on the LegCo Website.

     Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the meeting from the public galleries of the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. They may reserve seats by calling 3919 3399 during office hours. Members of the public can also watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. read more

     The Secretary for Home Affairs (SHA), Mr Lau Kong-wah, today (November 5) presented commendation certificates and award pins to 180 persons in recognition of their dedicated services and outstanding contribution to the promotion of community building and social integration, community service, caring for the underprivileged, youth development and building management at the SHA’s Commendation Scheme presentation ceremony.
      
     Mr Lau also commended 24 construction companies and term contractors under the District Minor Works Programme for assuming corporate social responsibility by mobilising large machinery and skilled workers to voluntarily assist in clearing fallen trees and refuse after the passage of typhoon Mangkhut, so as to help to restore the community to normal operation as soon as possible.
      
     Addressing the award presentation ceremony, Mr Lau thanked and complimented the awardees for their selfless contribution towards society, and particularly praised those who voluntarily helped with clean-up efforts after the passage of typhoon Mangkhut.
       
     “The awardees took the initiative to clear the refuse and fallen trees in their neighbourhood, organised people to clear the refuse on beaches, shorelines, country parks and remote islands, and helped needy elderly to clean up their homes damaged by the typhoon. Their selfless devotion is admirable,” he said.
           
     Mr Lau said the awardees have set an example for the community, adding that he believes the commendation scheme will inspire more people to take action to care for society and build a better home for everyone.
           
     The SHA’s Commendation Scheme, introduced in 2002, aims to recognise individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to community building, community service and the development of sport, culture and art.
  

  

     Mobile Libraries 4 and 11 will suspend services during designated periods in November for routine maintenance, a Leisure and Cultural Services Department spokesman announced today (November 5).      Mobile Lib… read more