: +852 2951 1988
: +852 2951 1999
: +852 5606 9390
: +852 5606 9390
To prevent influenza and safeguard your and my health
“Influenza”, or flu in short, is an acute respiratory disease caused by influenza virus. Influenza may result in hospitalization or even death. In order to avoid cross-infection with influenza and COVID-19, all people aged six months or above are suitable for vaccinating against seasonal influenza, except for those who are known to be contraindicated.
Swindon Medical has started to provide the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccination service for the new season.
Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine
Suitable for: people aged above six months
Eligible persons under the “Vaccination Subsidy Scheme” can vaccinate for free
Getting a flu shot is the best way to protect you and your family! Contact us now!
Make an Appointment for a Flu Shot
Recommended priority groups for flu vaccine:
The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (SCVPD) recommended the following priority groups for seasonal influenza vaccination in Hong Kong:
-
Healthcare workers (including care workers in Residential Care Homes for the Elderly [RCHE] and Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities [RCHD])
-
Persons aged 50 years or above
-
Pregnant women
-
Residents of Residential Care Homes (such as RCHE or RCHD)
-
Persons with chronic medical problems*
-
Children aged 6 months to 11 years
-
Poultry workers
-
Pig farmers and pig-slaughtering industry personnel
Understanding Seasonal Influenza
Seasonal influenza is mainly caused by four types of influenza viruses circulating in the community. It is an acute respiratory disease mainly transmitted through droplets. In Hong Kong, influenza is generally prevalent from January to March in winter and July and August in summer.
Symptoms of Seasonal Influenza
Influenza is more serious than cold
Influenza is different from cold. It is caused by different combinations of viruses. Generally speaking, the symptoms of influenza are more severe than those of the common cold. A cold usually does not lead to serious health problems such as pneumonia, bacterial infection, or hospitalization. Influenza, however, can result in very serious complications or mild to severe illnesses, and may even lead to death.
Influenza virus spreads easilySeasonal influenza (virus) spreads more easily and rapidly in crowded places such as schools and nursing homes. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the virus (which is contagious) travels through the air up to a metre away, spreading it to people who are in close proximity in the common space. In addition, influenza viruses can also be transmitted through infected secretions. To prevent infection, people should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and wash their hands frequently. Getting a flu shot is an effective way to prevent flu and its complications! |
Getting a flu shot is the best way to protect you and your family! Contact us now!
Make an Appointment for a Flu Shot
Can the COVID-19 vaccine be received at the same time as the seasonal flu vaccine?
I received the flu shot last year, does this mean that I don’t need one this year?
Will receiving the flu shot get me a flu?
Can the COVID-19 vaccine be received at the same time as the seasonal flu vaccine?
With informed consent, the COVID-19 vaccine can be administered at the same time as seasonal influenza vaccine (including inactivated influenza vaccine, live attenuated influenza vaccine and recombinant influenza vaccine), or at any time before or after other vaccines. If the vaccinated person or their parents want to vaccinate the COVID-19 vaccine and the live attenuated vaccine (such as MMRV vaccine, which can prevent Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella; live attenuated nasal spray flu vaccine) at separate times, a 14 days interval will suffice.
I received the flu shot last year, does this mean that I don’t need one this year?
Incorrect. Firstly, the flu viruses prevalent every year may also change with the seasons. Therefore, you need to get a seasonal flu shot to protect against new season flu viruses. Also, your body’s immune response declines over time. Therefore, the World Health Organization and the Centre for Health Protection also recommend that people should be vaccinated against the seasonal influenza every year.
Will receiving the flu shot get me a flu?
No. Many people have similar misunderstandings. Actually, the flu vaccine doesn’t contain the active toxin that makes you sick, so it won’t give you a flu.
* ‘Persons with chronic medical problems’ include patients who suffer from:
- Chronic cardiovascular diseases (except for those with hypertension but with no complications)
- Pulmonary diseases
- Metabolic or kidney diseases
- Obesity# (BMI is 30 or higher)
- Immunodeficiency^
- Children and adolescents (from 6 months to 18 years old) on chronic aspirin therapy
- Chronic neurological condition which could endanger their respiratory function, or make them difficult to handle respiratory secretions, or thereby increase the risk of aspiration
- People who lack the ability to care for themselves
# Obesity is considered as an independent risk factor for influenza complication and thus people with BMI 30 or above are included in the priority groups for seasonal influenza vaccination.
^ People who are immunocompromised refer to those with a weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (such as cancer treatment).
Members of the public can consult their family doctors to receive seasonal influenza vaccination for personal protection.