Health | New free vaccine program begins

The Health Bureau (SSM) began yesterday offering free vaccinations for the seasonal influenza. The offer is open to those who carry a higher risk of being affected by the disease.
In order to be eligible for the free vaccination, elderly recipients must be at least 50 years old, an improvement when compared to the situation before, in which the minimum age was 60. Still, the current vaccination scheme aims specifically for people aged 60 or older, and only  from November 1 will residents aged between 50 to 59 years old be able to receive the shots.
Other groups considered eligible for free vaccinations include children aged between six months and 18 years, pregnant women, patients with chronic diseases, obese people (body mass index of at least 30), and those who work in non-tertiary schools, nurseries, and other institutions regarded by the SSM as in need of vaccinating workers, such as casino employees and civil servants.
Specific schedules for schools have been arranged to take place between next month and December. The process for governmental departments and casinos will start in December.
This year, SSM has purchased 120,000 doses of the quadrivalent flu vaccine, which can protect recipients against influenza A and influenza B.
The department has issued a reminder that people who received vaccines between the period of September 2015 and July 2016, still need to take the new vaccine as it contains an update especially designed for the seasonal flu which will occur in the 2016-17 period between February and August of next year.