Press Releases
SFH on human swine flu
Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the
Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a media stand-up session
after attending a public function today (February 1):
Reporter: (on the effectiveness of human swine flu vaccine)
Secretary for Food and Health: The most simple explanation is if you look at
all the mortalities in the last few weeks, all of them actually did not have
any vaccinations. And this is already a good proof. Of course, flu
vaccination is not new as such because it has been in the market for many
years. It has been proven to be useful to prevent outbreaks and also serious
cases, particularly personal protection for flu. Swine flu is one form of
flu and you have to understand that H1N1 is also a form of influenza, just
like H1, H3 as well as flu B. This type of manufacturing of vaccine is the
same as other vaccines but coming from different viral prototype. So the
manufacturing process and also the effect is all the same. I do not think it
is right to say they have no effect. So far, it has also been proven that
all the cases admitted into hospital, severe cases, and also those who
unfortunately died, also did not have the vaccine. So it has actually proved
that it works.
Reporter: (on the number of people taking vaccination)
Secretary for Food and Health: As I said earlier, the reason why we have the
vaccine is to ensure that we have sufficient supply for all the patients who
are in need. Obviously, we have sufficient supply for all the five at-risk
groups in Hong Kong, plus some extra for people who are willing to take the
vaccine. I am not worried that it is not taken entirely because I think, if
just in case, the peak of the influenza is getting worse, I am sure more
people will be interested to take it. It is important that we have it in
reserve and can be able to use it in the peak if necessary. It is like
insurance. It is like something you put there so that in case of need, you
can use it.
Reporter: (on definition of pandemic)
Secretary for Food and Health: The definition of pandemic is a new influenza
infectious epidemic that spreads from continent to continent. As far as
today is concerned, there are over 160 countries that have already actually
reported the presence of the new influenza. So I think by all definitions
this is a pandemic.
(Please also refer to the
Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, February 1, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:08
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