Flu fight: Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr EK Yeoh oversees the flu vaccination programme at a Sheung Wan home for the disabled.

The influenza vaccination programme is running smoothly as winter approaches, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong says.

Visiting the 'Home of Love' today, a sheltered workshop and hostel for the mentally handicapped in Sheung Wan, Dr Yeoh inspected the Department of Health's work in the vaccination programme.

He said he was pleased to see it is running well, and saw 50 hostel residents receive vaccinations today.

Dr Yeoh said it is the first time the programme has been extended to include residents of homes for the mentally or physically disabled, and the elderly.

It is hoped the programme will cut the chances of flu outbreaks in the homes, and the risk of post-flu complications like pneumonia.

The programme is expected to cover 59,000 residents of 750 elderly homes and 10,000 residents of 209 homes for the mentally or physically disabled.

The Hospital Authority will also provide free vaccinations to about 50,000 elderly who are at particularly high risk of flu and have financial difficulties.

"To stay healthy, we should strengthen our body resistance through a balanced diet, adequate rest and exercise, and good personal hygiene," Dr Yeoh said.