新冠流感同活躍 保持警覺護長幼
世界衛生組織雖然於5月5日宣布新冠疫情不再構成國際關注的突發公共衛生事件，但新冠病毒仍存有風險，加上近日本港流感持續活躍，香港醫學會呼籲市民要提高警覺，預防感染，尤其是長者、幼兒和有健康風險的人士。
香港醫學會傳染病顧問委員會最近舉行了會議，並檢視了2019冠狀病毒病和季節性流感在本港的情況。委員會認為本港仍不能輕視新冠疫情，對於70歲以上組别還有近三成人士未接種第三針疫苗表示關注。鑑於流感在港亦持續活躍，委員會認為不能掉以輕心，因為流感可同樣對高危人士構成影響。委員會指出疫苗對預防冠狀病毒病和流感引致的嚴重疾病有實證支持，市民應及早接種。此外，委員會建議本港須正視「疫苗猶豫」對公共健康的影響，並對進行公眾教育作出長遠策略建議。
香港醫學會接納了傳染病顧問委員會的建議，未來將重點展開疫苗接種的公眾教育計劃，向市民傳遞正確的疫苗資訊，重點項目是快將推出的「成人疫苗接種公眾教育」。另外，醫學會亦呼籲公眾，雖然本港政府解除了防疫措施，社會活動經已復常，但為了保護家中長者、幼兒和有健康風險人士，除了要安排他們接種疫苗外，更應在適當時採取防疫步驟，例如出現呼吸道病徵時佩戴口罩、不要到人多地方、保持居所空氣流通，和確保環境及個人衛生。有健康風險的人士在乘搭公共交通工具或到人多的地方也應帶上口罩，慎防感染。
二零二三年五月八日
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8 May 2023
Heighten Alertness Against Flu and COVID-19 to Protect Vulnerable
The World Health Organisation announced on 5 May 2023 that COVID-19 no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. However, the removal of the highest level of alert did not mean the thread of COVID-19 is totally over. The Hong Kong Medical Association (HKMA), noting the overall activity of local seasonal flu and COVID-19 remains active, calls for citizens to stay vigilant of the potential risks of the both diseases, especially for elderly, children and people with chronic medical conditions.
The Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases (ACCD) of the HKMA held a meeting in reviewing local situations of COVID-19 and seasonal flu. The ACCD urged not to dismiss the impacts of COVID-19, especially for older adults aged above 70 as only 71% of them have 3rd vaccine dose. Since seasonal flu outbreaks are also on the rise, the ACCD advised citizens to receive both COVID-19 and flu vaccine to protect themselves. The ACCD also recommended the need to have a better understanding of vaccine hesitancy, and how vaccine uptake can be increased for the sake of public health in the long run.
The HKMA concurs with the advice of the ACCD and supports to roll out public health education campaigns to bust the myths around vaccination. In addition, the HKMA highlights the importance to take necessary measures for protecting their loved family members. Family and friends are important individuals in helping family and friends to overcome reservations and receive vaccination. In the coming months, the HKMA will launch an Adult Immunisation Programme to raise public awareness on vaccination. Besides vaccination, members of the public can protect others by wearing masks and staying away from the crowd if they have respiratory disease symptoms. Equally important is to always maintain environmental and personal hygiene. Likewise, citizens with medical conditions must wear masks in public transports and try not to visit crowdy place as far as possible to protect themselves from infection.
編輯備忘：香港醫學會成立於一九二零年，旨在聯繫政府、各公立醫療機構、大學及私人執業的醫務工作者，交流意見，團結一心。醫學會致力將最新的醫療資訊及醫務發展傳遞與會員，提倡會員遵行專業操守，進而服務社會，維護民康。
Notes to editors: The Hong Kong Medical Association, founded in 1920, aims to bring together Hong Kong's government, institutional, university and private medical practitioners for an effective exchange of views and co-ordination of efforts. The foremost objective of the Association is to safeguard and promote public health. The Association speaks collectively for its members and aims to keep its members abreast of medical ethics, issues and advances around the world. In fulfilling these goals, the association hopes to better serve the people of Hong Kong.
查詢 ：袁巧蓮女士 / 葉冬晨女士 電話 ：2527 8941
網址 ：www.hkma.org 電郵 ：media@hkma.org