Hong Kong private doctors already hit with flu vaccine shortages; 15 new Covid-19 cases confirmed
- Clinics will not have enough shots to meet demand, which has tripled this year, according to industry group
- But in late-night meeting, officials offer to help private practitioners secure extra supplies if they take part in government inoculation effort
Officials had vowed to help practitioners secure some extra shots if they were taking part in the government inoculation effort, Medical Association president Dr Gabriel Choi Kin said after meeting health minister Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee on Monday night.
Chan also discussed ways to compel people with mild coronavirus symptoms to be tested, although the idea was met with some scepticism.
The talks came as Hong Kong confirmed 15 new Covid-19 cases, all but one of them imported. The community infection involved the close contact of a previous patient, marking the third straight day all local cases were traceable.
The number of residents seeking flu shots has tripled this year, leading to the shortages at many private practices, according to Dr Henry Yeung Chiu-fat, president of the city’s Doctors Union. Members reported at least 30,000 more doses would be needed to meet demand, he said.
“Some people used to go to government outpatient clinics to get the flu vaccine, but this year, they changed to private clinics, because some of them might not want to go to public hospitals amid the Covid-19 pandemic,” Yeung said. “There are also residents who have never had a flu vaccine and hope to get an injection this year.”