The Advisory Committee on Immunisation recommends that healthcare workers receive influenza vaccinations for the 2003-04 flu season as they are at a greater risk of contracting the illness and SARS.

The committee's recommendations, in line with World Health Organisation advice, will be put forward to the Director of Health for consideration.

The committee met today to discuss flu vaccinations in relation to the possibility of a return of SARS this winter.

Department of Health Consultant Dr Tse Lai-yin who chaired today's meeting, said in view of a possible seasonal return of SARS which may coincide with the influenza peak season and the absence of a rapid and reliable diagnostic test to rule out SARS early in the course of illness, the committee felt that special provision should be made with regard influenza vaccinations for the coming winter.

"One aim is to reduce the burden on our healthcare system arising from influenza whose clinical picture may be mistaken for SARS," Dr Tse said.

Since 1998, the department has been implementing an annual influenza vaccination programme for the elderly in residential care homes. The overall coverage rates were over 85%.

The committee recommends the department's influenza vaccination programme this year be expanded to cover long-stay residents of institutions for the mentally and physically disabled.

This is recommended because new local data shows a high rate of hospitalisation during influenza outbreaks in these institutions.

Also, residents were often unable to undertake hygiene measures in the prevention of influenza owing to their physical and mental disability.

The committee said people aged 65 or above and those with chronic heart or lung diseases should seek medical advice for influenza vaccination for individual protection for the 2003-04 influenza season.