Two subsidy schemes allowing children and the elderly to receive vaccines at private clinics will launch October 19.

Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Thomas Tsang announced today children aged six-months to six-years old will receive a Government subsidy of $80 per shot of seasonal flu vaccine.

People aged 65 or above will receive a subsidy of $130 per shot of seasonal flu vaccine, and a subsidy of $190 per dose of pneumococcal vaccine. The subsidy covers both the vaccine and the injection.

Dr Tsang urged the public to make the best use of the voluntary schemes to get the vaccinations as they are safe and effective.

"The participation rate of the children scheme was around 35% last year. We hope there will be more taking part this year," he said. "We are starting the scheme earlier this year to give eligible receivers more time to get vaccinated before the human swine flu vaccination programme is launched later this year."

About 1,000 private doctors have enrolled in the schemes. Their details and fees will be available on the centre's website and the eHealth system from October 19. The Government Vaccination Programme for 2009-10 will also be launched that day.

The Department of Health and the Hospital Authority will provide free seasonal flu vaccinations to groups like residents in homes for the elderly and the disabled, plus healthcare and poultry workers.

Free pneumococcal vaccines will also be given to people aged 65 or above covered by the Government Vaccination Programme.

Call the centre's hotline 2125 2125 for enquiries.