Press Releases

SFH speaks on seasonal influenza vaccine

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, at a media session after attending the "Healing with Big Hearts - Queen Mary Hospital 80 Photo Exhibition" prize presentation and appreciation ceremony this afternoon (October 3):

Reporter: ... there is a mismatch between the vaccine and the virus circulating ....

Secretary for Food and Health: According to the Centre for Health Protection, so far they have not identified any drifting of the virus or of the strain. Therefore, I think at this point of time, the flu situation is still at a low level. If we are going to make any conclusion, it is too early, in terms of the vaccine effectiveness and also looking at the different strains. They have already communicated with their Scientific Committee (on Vaccine Preventable Diseases) and asked the Scientific Committee to read the World Health Organization's report. They will continue to look at the strain to monitor whether there is any drifting of antigen. They will also look at the international literature and review the international flu situation.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:50
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