Preventive jab: Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow visits the United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service Bradbury Kwong Tin Community Health Centre in Lam Tin to watch the implementation of the vaccination subsidy scheme for seniors.

The Government today launched subsidy schemes for seniors to have seasonal flu and pneumococcal vaccinations and children to have flu vaccinations.

Under the seniors' vaccination subsidy scheme, the Government will contribute $130 for those aged 65 or over to get a seasonal flu inoculation and $190 to get pneumococcal vaccinations from private doctors enrolled in the scheme.

The subsidy for the flu shot became available today and will last until the end of March while that for pneumococcal vaccination is ongoing.

Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow today visited a community health centre in Lam Tin to observe the scheme's implementation.

"The scheme is intended to protect the elderly from complications of influenza infection before the arrival of the peak influenza season," Dr Chow said.

Children aged between six months and less than six years with Hong Kong resident status are entitled to a government subsidy of $80 per dose of flu vaccine administered by private doctors under the childhood flu vaccination subsidy scheme.

Those aged six or above and attending kindergartens or childcare centres are also eligible. They must show proof such as a student handbook to prove their attendance at a pre-primary institution.

Lists of doctors enrolled in the two schemes, with the addresses and telephone numbers of their clinics and fees charged for different types of vaccinations are available from the Centre for Health Protection website.

For enquiries, call the hotline 2125 2125 from 8am to 10pm on weekdays and from 9am to 5.30pm on the first Saturday and Sunday in the first week of the launch. It will operate from 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays during subsequent weeks.