The annual influenza vaccination programme will start on November 5 and carry on through the end of the year, the Department of Health says.

The programme will provide free vaccines to high-risk target groups as recommended by the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases.

They include healthcare workers, poultry workers, children and pregnant women receiving social security, and seniors with chronic illness.

The department has ordered 300,000 doses of vaccine. Vaccinations for those who may have missed the first round are also expected in early 2008.

The Centre for Health Protection will send letters to doctors and healthcare professionals this month to promote influenza vaccination.

For more details about the programme, please call 2833 0111 or click here.