CHP reacts to media queries on Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach Programme
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In action to media queries concerning the current circumstance of the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV) School Outreach Programme, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 24) provided the list below reaction:
All schools might pick to utilize live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV nasal vaccines)
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To even more optimise the School Outreach Programme, this year all schools might select the LAIV nasal vaccines and the “hybrid mode”which enables schools to pick both the injectable suspended influenza vaccines and the LAIV throughout the exact same or various outreach vaccination activities. Far, the CHP has actually not gotten any reports from schools or medical groups showing that supply concerns have actually avoided the plan of the LAIV nasal vaccine.
School outreach activities this season will usually be finished earlier than last season
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To enhance SIV rates, enrolment for the SIV School Outreach Programme has actually begun because the start of June this year, which was earlier than in 2015. With the collective efforts of the Government and different neighborhood sectors (consisting of the medical sector and schools), roughly 2 300 schools (99 percent) are going to organize SIV school outreach activities. Amongst these, about 1 350 schools (59 percent) have actually set up to perform the outreach activities by the end of this month, and over 2 190 schools (95 percent) by the end of next month (November), which are respectively greater than in 2015’s 45 percent and 83 percent. All in all, this season’s school outreach activities will typically be finished earlier than last season’s.
Given that the start of the academic year, about 930 schools have actually held SIV school outreach activities, which is greater than of 650 compared to the very same duration in the last season. In view of this year’s summer season influenza season, combined with the current boost in seasonal influenza activity and the variety of school break outs, the CHP has actually actively gotten in touch with the schools in mid-October, prompting them to attempt to additional advance school outreach activities where possible. Presently, 23 schools have actually reacted to the CHP’s call to advance their outreach activities, initially arranged for December this year or January next year, to be held by the end of next month.
The CHP revealed genuine thankfulness to the schools and medical organizations which co-operated to advance vaccination activities. The CHP comprehends that getting involved schools need to take into consideration different unbiased elements such as the school calendar and staffing when scheduling school outreach activities, and collaborate with taking part medical groups on the proper time. Need to schools experience any problems ahead of time their outreach activities, they might call the CHP throughout workplace hours at 3975 4872 and the CHP will supply complete support.
Vaccine supply goes through pharmaceutical business’ production schedules
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The World Health Organization (WHO) generally reveals the seasonal influenza infection stress for the Northern Hemisphere from February to March each year. Pharmaceutical business worldwide then produce suitable vaccines based upon the WHO’s statement for public procurement. Due to the time needed for production and transport, experience reveals that vaccines usually get here in various nations and areas in between September and October the earliest. In the previous 2 years, the CHP has actually actively engaged with pharmaceutical producers with a view to protect vaccines as early as possible. This year, the CHP got the vaccines around mid-September.
The CHP will continue to carefully keep an eye on the vaccine supply at the global level and the application of the SIV School Outreach Programme, aiming to make sure steady vaccine supply and boost the versatility of the School Outreach Programme in order to fulfill the vaccination requirements of various groups and much better protect public health.