The Advisory Committee on Immunisation is maintaining its influenza vaccination recommendations in the 2003-04 season after assessing the Hong Kong flu situation.

This was the message from Department of Health Consultant Dr Thomas Tsang who chaired the meeting today.

Dr Tsang said the committee  reviewed the progress of the extended flu vaccination programme this year and examined the current local and global epidemiology of flu in view of the outbreaks of the Fujian strain in some Western countries

"The committee is of the view that the recommendations made in the last meeting in August are to be maintained," he added.

The programme covers elderly people in residential care homes, long-stay residents of institutions for the mentally and physically disabled, and healthcare workers. 

People aged 65 or above, and people with chronic heart or lung diseases can seek medical advice about vaccinations for individual protection against the 2003-04 influenza season.

Surveillance of flu mortality in kids stepped up

The committee noted that overseas health authorities are conducting investigations into reports of child mortality from the Fujian flu strain.

The department and the Hospital Authority are stepping up surveillance of flu mortality in children, Dr Tsang said, adding that the committee will monitor any new findings by overseas and local health authorities.