| (December 13, 2007)
The Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of
Hong Kong, in collaboration with the Hospital Authority and Department
of Health, has launched a Prospective Study on the Effectiveness
of Pneumococcal Vaccination in Elderly Patients in preventing pneumococcal
pneumonia. According to statistics from the Centre for Health Protection
of the Department of Health, pneumococcal pneumonia is a highly
prevalent disease among elderly people 65 years and over, with an
average incidence of 20 to 80 per 100,000 people in this age group.
The average hospital stay for each infected victim is 22 days and
the mortality rate can be as high as 23.4%. Therefore, pneumococcal
vaccination can save tens of millions of dollars in medical expenses
by reducing infection rates.
The Prospective Study is a pilot scheme of combined pneumococcal
vaccination and flu vaccination. If the pilot scheme proves to be
successful, it will be extended to the whole of Hong Kong. The total
cost of the research study and implementation is approximately HK$30
million. The HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine will be given a
grant of HK$15 million by the Li Ka Shing Foundation and will apply
for government funding.
The vaccination is a pilot project of high research significance
with specific objectives as follows:
- To study the effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccination in elderly
patients in preventing invasive pneumococcal diseases (pneumonia
and meningitis), decreasing hospitalization and mortality;
- To study if pneumococcal vaccination will decrease the rate of
resistant pneumococcal infection;
- To study the benefits of combined influenza and pneumococcal vaccination;
and
- To educate, promote and provide pneumococcal vaccination to non-institutionalised
patients of 65 years or above.
In addition, related education and community programmes will be
introduced at the same time.
We are very pleased that the project is blessed with funding
by the Li Ka Shing Foundation, said Professor Raymond Liang, Acting
Dean of the HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, adding that the
pilot study is highly significant in promoting pneumococcal vaccination
for the elderly. This is also the first large-scale pilot study
in combined pneumococcal vaccination and flu vaccination in South
East Asia.
The vaccination not only provides valid protection for recipients
for 10 years, it also reduces hospitalization and mortality rate
among the elderly. Its successful implementation is also expected
to save millions of dollars in medical expenses for the government
and taxpayers and serves as a model for Mainland China and Asia.
The introduction of this large-scale pilot research and community
project at our Facultys 120th Anniversary showcases the Facultys
commitment to serve the Hong Kong community, Professor Liang said.
The vaccination programme has been implemented in Aberdeen Jockey
Club Clinic and Sai Ying Pun Jockey Club General Outpatient Clinic
in early December. It will be extended to Queen Mary Hospital Specialist
Outpatient Clinic, Grantham Hospital Specialist Outpatient Clinic
and Ap Lei Chau Clinic subsequently on December 17. The analysis
of the data collected from the pilot project and the evaluation
of the effectiveness of the programme are scheduled to be completed
by the end of 2008. This will provide evidence to take forward a
territory-wide pneumococcal vaccination programme for elderly patients.
The programme will be implemented together with the Government Influenza
Vaccination Programme to ensure adequate enrolment of around 9,600
elderly with a defined set of chronic illnesses. Once fully implemented,
the territory-wide program is expected to benefit over 200,000 elderly.
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