The Health Bureau (SSM) announced on Friday that it will offer free 13-valent Streptococcus pneumoniae conjugate vaccine (PCV) jabs for local residents from today, aiming to strengthen the prevention of severe illness caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in high-risk individuals aged two years and above.
An SSM statement noted that high-risk people aged between two and 64, as well as senior citizens aged at least 65 could have their free jabs at health centres or health stations from today, when nurses will arrange vaccination according to their vaccination history.
High risk infectees include patients with invasive pneumococcal disease, cerebrospinal fluid leakage or cochlear implant, those who are suffering from chronic cardiovascular disease, lung disease, liver disease, kidney disease, or metabolic disease, such as diabetes and obesity, immunocompromised persons, i.e., those with asplenia or human immunodeficiency virus infection or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), or those undergoing cancer or steroid treatment.
The bureau suggested those who have received a dose of PCV vaccine to get their 23-valent Streptococcus pneumoniae polysaccharide (PPSV23) vaccination one year after their previous jab, and vice versa.
For the convenience of senior citizens living in residential care homes, according to the statement, during the collective influenza vaccination at the facilities, SSM officials will vaccinate eligible residents with both influenza and pneumococcal jabs.
The statement pointed out that Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause complications such as sinusitis, otitis media, pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia.
Since September 2009, the bureau has routinely provided free PCV for children under two years of age, with PPSV23 being available for high-risk persons aged two to 64, and the elderly aged 65 and above.
