Authors (including presenting author) :
Cheung LP, Lau K, Chan LN, Yee YT, Hui YS, Chan PF, Chao DVK
Affiliation :
Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, KEC
Introduction :
Seasonal Influenza imposes an enormous burden on the public health care system especially during the winter surge period. In order to reduce the influenza related morbidity and mortality of the high risk groups, the government endeavors to implement Government Vaccination Programme (GVP) for eligible population. Hospital Authority (HA) is the major health care provider in the territory and GOPCs play a major role to provide GVP service in HA.
Objectives :
To promote and enhance SIV coverage among the target population in KEC’s GOPCs.
Methodology :
In order to enhance the SIV coverage of target patient groups, KEC’s GOPCs have implemented various measures since GVP was launched. These include: 1) erect GVP posters at the entrances of clinics and on the eye catching notice boards; 2) broadcast continual audio and video prompts in the waiting halls to educate the public; 3) recruit all eligible patients at registration counter by using reminder; 4) facilitate eligible patients for vaccination at any time within service hours; 5) nurses actively recruit eligible patients while performing nursing procedures or pre-consultation and promulgate detailed vaccination information; 6) doctors actively recruit eligible patients for SIV during consultations.
Result & Outcome :
After reviewing the records of the past five years, it was found that the number of patients received SIV had increased by 142% to 46,981 doses in 2018/19 in KEC’s GOPCs. The number of doses injected was the third largest (the two clusters with largest doses had given 50060 and 48312 doses respectively but their number included hospital with GOPCs) among all 7 HA clusters’ GOPCs. The clinics with the most significant improvement had increased the number of SIV doses given by 238% and 166% in Sai Kung and Kwun Tong districts respectively. Conclusion Flu vaccination is the most effective way in preventing influenza related serious morbidity and mortality and hence the burden in public health care system. With a team effort, the vaccination coverage of target population can be significantly enhanced in GOPCs.
