Swindon 2023/2024 Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (1 dose)

Swindon 2023/2024 Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (1 dose)

Seasonal influenza vaccination is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reduce influenza-related hospitalisation and death. Persons contracting influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and have a higher death rate. Influenza vaccination may reduce hospitalisation and the length of stay. It is important to receive both SIV and COVID-19 vaccination. Given that influenza vaccines are safe and effective, all persons aged 6 months or above, except those with known contraindications, are recommended to receive SIV for personal protection. Meanwhile, based on past epidemiological patterns, the winter influenza season usually starts in early January. However, the exact time of arrival cannot be predicted. As it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies, members of the public are advised to receive SIV early for protection against seasonal influenza.

The egg-based quadrivalent influenza vaccines recommended by the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (SCVPD) for the 2023/2024 season contain the following:

• an A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus
• an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus
• a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus
• a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus

In the 2023/24 season, the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (SCVPD) recommended the following priority groups for seasonal influenza vaccination in Hong Kong:

1. Pregnant women
2. Residents of Residential Care Homes (such as RCHE or RCHD)
3. Persons aged 50 years or above
4. Persons with chronic medical problems*
5.Health care workers (including care workers in Residential Care Homes for the Elderly [RCHEs], Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities [RCHDs] and laboratory personnel handling influenza virus specimens)
6. Children and adolescents aged six months to under 18 years (or aged 18 years or above studying in secondary schools in Hong Kong)
7. Poultry workers
8. Pig farmers and pig-slaughtering industry personnel

* If it is considered as inapproriate to get vaccinated, the full amount shall be returned. health.ESDlife and Swindon have sole discretion to make the final decision.