Parents urged to get children vaccinated against deadly bug
Subsidised scheme for jabs against deadly bug has begun, while cold snap may bring rise in flu
Doctors have urged parents to take children who have not been vaccinated against a deadly bacteria - and also the common flu - to get the jabs quickly before the cold weather expected next week.
The call came as the Observatory reminded the public to prepare for gloomy and wet weather tomorrow, when temperatures will drop to around 12 degrees Celsius in urban areas and lower in the New Territories.
Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3 claimed two young lives last month. Six children remain in public hospitals after they were infected with the bug.
"Parents should pay attention not just to the Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3 bacteria, but also to flu. It's the peak of the flu season," Medical Association president Dr Tse Hung Hing said.
"Children who have not had injections against both should get them quickly before the weather turns cold."
Meanwhile, the Hospital Authority said 86 private doctors had filed claims for consultation fees after providing PCV13 vaccinations to more than 240 children as part of a government scheme to combat the bug, which began yesterday.