THE
SPECIAL IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN IN HONG KONG SAR
Ng Wing Man
Paediatric Infectious Diseases Unit (PIDU), Princess Margaret
Hospital,
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
The Special
Immunization Programme was launched in 1995 as one of the
community-oriented service to the general paediatric population. We accept referral from all
Maternal and Child Health Centers, Paediatric units in Public Hospital and
Private Paediatricians in Hong Kong SAR with the objective of providing
specialist advice for problems related to immunization in children. We receive approximately 250-350
consultations each year. The
appointment can be made by phone and the clinic is now held once per week
in the Paediatric Infectious Diseases Ward.
The reasons for
referring to the Special Immunization Clinic include adverse systemic or
local reactions to previous vaccinations. Pre-existing childhood diseases
may contraindicate further vaccination or need special precaution during
vaccine administration; anaphylactic or allergic reactions to certain food
component which might need counseling before vaccination and close
observation afterward.
During each
consultation, the child will be assessed by a paediatric infectious
diseases nurse, and he/she will be seen by a paediatric specialist. Detail history will be obtained
with particular attention to the history of allergy or anaphylactic
reaction, either to food, drug or vaccine. After assessment and advice, the appropriate vaccine/s
will be administered and the child will be closely observed for 30 minutes
to 2 hours depending on the circumstances. Proper entries will be recorded in the immunization
record. The child will be
discharged after parents education by the nursing staffs of the PIDU.