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流感疫苗嚴重短缺  私家診所一針難求

流感肆虐、學校停課、疫苗缺乏、一針難求

一月，流感疫苗供應告急，衞生署向疫苗供應商增購疫苗，新購的疫苗已於二月到港。衞生署曾呼籲供應商優先分配疫苗予參與「疫苗資助計劃」的私家醫生，然而，到港的疫苗數量遠低於需求。就此，香港醫學會連日收到不少會員查詢和投訴。據了解，生產疫苗的兩大藥廠剛承諾增加供應，葛蘭素史克大藥廠的疫苗將於下星期抵港，分配給公、私家醫生，數量不詳；而賽諾菲大藥廠的疫苗將於三月底抵港，共24,000針，全數分配給私家醫生，稍後接受醫生預訂，每醫生限購十針。

今天，私家醫生基本上已經沒有流感疫苗可供市民接種。兩萬四千針新疫苗抵港後，每醫生就是十針，是杯水車薪，還來得太遲。

政府在是次疫苗短缺事件上顯然警覺薄弱、前瞻不足，未能在流感季節前做好預算、訂足疫苗，以至全港疫苗嚴重不足，令不少預購了疫苗的市民失望而回。

前事不忘，後事之師，觀乎今年的疫情，本會建議政府來年儘早與醫學界協商，訂定疫苗的需求數量與訂購安排，攜手為防疫把關。當局亦應適時優化疫苗資助計劃，鼓勵更多市民及早前往就近診所接種，既可提高社區免疫力，亦避免人潮同時湧到公院門診部門造成交叉感染。

接種疫苗是最有效及最安全的預防流感方法。接種疫苗後，市民仍須注意個人衞生：觸摸口鼻後洗手、患有傷風咳嗽癥狀時佩戴口罩，並保持室內空氣流通。現正值流感高峰期，市民 － 特别是長者和小童應盡量避免到人多擠迫的地方，以防受到感染。市民如對注射疫苗有任何疑問，應該先向醫生尋求意見。

二零一八年二月十日

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。

PRESS

RELEASE

10 February 2018

Serious Flu Vaccine Shortage in Private Doctors’ Clinics

With influenza surging high, we have schools closed and people in want of vaccines, but vaccines are lacking.

Last month, the healthcare system of Hong Kong bent under the pressure of a depleting influenza vaccine stock. The Department of Health (DH) has in January placed order for a fresh supply of influenza vaccines, which arrived Hong Kong in February.  DH requested that private clinics participating in the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS) be given priority to be allotted vaccines.  Nevertheless, shortage remains acute and many doctors simply do not get the vaccines for their patients. The Hong Kong Medical Association (HKMA) is receiving enquiries and complaints day after days from doctor-members on matters of vaccine supply. 

We learned just now that the two vaccine manufacturers have committed to send Hong Kong another round of supply.  GSK’s vaccines will arrive next week, to be distributed between the public and private healthcare sectors.  The stock volume is undisclosed.  Sanofi’s 24,000 vaccines, expected to arrive in mid to late March, will be opened for doctors to order.  Each doctor may order no more than 10 vaccines.

Today, private doctors basically have no vaccine for their patients.  By the time the 24,000 vaccines arrive, each doctor will have 10 vaccines more – far too little and far too late.

In retrospect, the Government has not amid this flu surge demonstrated adequate alertness and efficacy of prospective planning, leading to what we all see as a gross underestimation of the need for flu vaccines. There are people waiting in vain at private doctors’ clinic for flu vaccinations, despite pre-orders.

HKMA is most willing to discuss with the Government ahead of time before future flu seasons to work out the target number of vaccines and ordering logistics.  We deem it high time for the Government to widen the scope of VSS, so that more people may benefit.  With more people immunized, we can expect to see herd immunity emerging.  With planned, early vaccinations, crowding of people at public healthcare facilities at flu surge, and thus cross-infection can hopefully be curbed.

Vaccination is the most efficacious and safest method to prevent influenza.  On top of vaccination, the public is advised to maintain vigilance with personal hygiene.  Simple measures such as hand washing after touching the nose and mouth, wearing a mask while there are flu symptoms and good indoor ventilation go a long way to prevent the spread of germs.  It is peak flu season so please avoid crowded places, and this is particularly relevant to children, elderly and the immune-compromised.   Please consult your doctor for professional advice on matters related to influenza vaccination.   

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.