Press Releases
SFH on human swine flu vaccine and stem cells
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 (May 5):
Reporter: The swine flu vaccine is going to expire at the end of the year.
What do you plan to do with the vaccine? Also, is the swine flu threat over?
Secretary for Food and Health: As far as the data from the Hospital
Authority and the Department of Health show, the so-called winter peak has
now come down and has been quite quiet for some time as far as influenza
goes. It is now well over one year since we had the first case of swine flu
came to Hong Kong, that was on the first of May, 2009. So we are now
assessing the situation and see whether we can consider the emergency
response should be readdressed. So, whether we will lower the alert or not
depends on the assessment and analysis of our experts. Regarding the
vaccine, the validity of the vaccine will last until October this year. So,
should the influenza pandemic come back or have any particular change, we
might still have to rely on it. It would bridge over with the seasonal
vaccine that we are acquiring for the coming winter and that should be
available by October this year. So we make sure that there is no gap between
the two batches of vaccines.
Reporter: How about the target groups? Will you include more groups?
Secretary for Food and Health: As far as the expert analysis goes, the risk
for the at-risk groups is still higher than the general public. I think we
will maintain the existing policy.
Reporter: (on stem cells)
Secretary for Food and Health: We are investigating this particular case -
that is the administering of rabbit stem cells to human beings by a private
doctor. The Department of Health will be investigating this particular case
and look at whether he (the doctor) has violated any of the existing
ordinances, particularly the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, and whether he
has adopted the proper procedure as a research project that is being done by
other institutions in Hong Kong.
(Please also refer to the
Chinese portion of the transcript)
Ends/Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:27
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