Health workers will start giving high-risk residents free flu jabs today.
The Health Bureau said that priority targets for the 2022-2023 influenza vaccination programme include children aged at least six months, under-18s, pregnant women, those suffering from chronic diseases, obese persons and over-50s.
Crèche and kindergarten children, primary, secondary school and higher education institution students, senior citizens living in retirement homes, and staff members of all these institutions, will also be offered free flu shots, as well as health workers and casino staff who are local residents.
Anyone who needs to leave Macao urgently can also go to a health centre or health station for priority vaccination by showing the relevant proof, such as a school admission certificate or air ticket.
The bureau will dispatch medical workers to crèches, kindergartens and primary and secondary schools from next month to December to vaccinate students and staff members against influenza.
Anyone who is unable to participate in the mass vaccination programme can get jabbed at a health centre, health station, or the vaccination station at the Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre after their school mass vaccination days by presenting their identity document, student ID card, teacher ID card, staff card, employment certificate or similar document.
The bureau will also arrange for its medical staff to carry out mass vaccinations in retirement and rehabilitation homes, as well as other facilities frequented by large numbers of people, The Macau Post Daily reported.
The bureau reminded those who received the 2021-2022 flu vaccine between September last year and August this year that they will have to get a new shot after this month, which will cover the upcoming winter and next year’s summer.
The bureau urged residents at high risk of influenza complications to get the seasonal influenza vaccine as early as possible before the peak of influenza season as autumn and winter are the months with a high incidence of respiratory diseases.
The bureau stressed that the flu vaccination can effectively reduce the risk of the simultaneous outbreak of Covid-19 and influenza, thereby reducing the possibility of serious consequences caused by the double infection with the two diseases.
