Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ19: Varicella vaccine
Following is a question by the Hon Alan Leong and a written reply by the
Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, in the Legislative Council
today (March 20):
Question:
It has been reported that following revelation in August last year that a
mainland hospital had administered fake varicella (commonly known as
chickenpox) vaccines to children, and the death of a boy in Hong Kong
caused by varicella in November last year, the number of children
receiving varicella vaccines in Hong Kong has surged, resulting in
stockout of varicella vaccines since the end of last year. All three
varicella vaccine suppliers for Hong Kong have indicated that they are not
sure when stable supplies can be resumed. In addition, the Government has
planned to incorporate varicella vaccines into the Hong Kong Childhood
Immunisation Programme (CIP) in 2014. In this connection, will the
Government inform this Council:
(a) whether the Department of Health (DH) had compiled statistics on the
respective numbers of persons receiving varicella vaccines in each of the
past three years; if it had not, of the reasons for that; if it had,
whether the statistics differentiated among children born to women who are
Hong Kong permanent residents (HKPRs), children born in Hong Kong to
mainland women whose spouses are HKPRs, children born in Hong Kong to
mainland women whose spouses are not HKPRs, as well as children from the
Mainland;
(b) whether DH has compiled statistics on the number of children receiving
varicella vaccines in the first quarter of this year;
(c) whether DH has assessed the current situation of shortage of varicella
vaccines; if it has, of the assessment outcome; if not, the reasons for
that;
(d) according to the information obtained by DH from its liaison with the
varicella vaccine suppliers, of the causes of the current shortage of
varicella vaccines and when stable supplies can be resumed;
(e) whether the Government will consider introducing other suppliers of
varicella vaccines in the near future in order to meet the urgent demand
for the vaccines;
(f) of the number of children receiving varicella vaccines each year under
CIP as estimated by DH;
(g) whether DH has assessed if the current suppliers will be able to
supply sufficient vaccines after varicella vaccines are incorporated into
CIP; and
(h) whether, in the light of the incident of shortage of varicella
vaccines, DH has taken the initiative to monitor if there will be a
shortage of supply of other types of vaccines?
Reply:
President,
(a) and (b) Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine is currently not included in
the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme (CIP). As all vaccinations
are administered at private clinics, the Department of Health (DH) does
not have the relevant statistics. In 2009, DH conducted a sample survey of
children aged two to five in kindergartens, child care centres and
kindergartens-cum-child care centres of Hong Kong. Survey results
indicated that 32.4% of local-born children and 37.0% of Mainland-born
children had received varicella vaccine.
(c) and (d) DH has all along maintained close communication with the three
suppliers of varicella vaccines. It was understood that the main reason
for the shortage of vaccines was related to the supply schedule of the
manufacturers. According to the latest information provided by some
suppliers, more varicella vaccines have arrived in Hong Kong and the
shortage situation will be improved. DH will continue to liaise with the
suppliers on the supply of vaccines.
(e) The purpose of varicella vaccination is for personal protection. Like
other pharmaceutical products, varicella vaccines must be registered under
the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Ordinance) before they can be used in
Hong Kong. Among the five varicella vaccines currently registered in Hong
Kong, two are combination vaccines which also provide protection against
measles, mumps and rubella, while the remaining three are preventive
vaccines for varicella only. If the suppliers want to introduce other
types of varicella vaccines into Hong Kong, they are required to first
register the vaccines under the Ordinance. DH will continue to monitor the
actual demand of varicella vaccines in Hong Kong.
(f) Based on the number of new cases served by the Maternal and Child
Health Centres, we estimate that upon the incorporation of varicella
vaccine into CIP, about 60 000 to 70 000 infants and young children will
receive vaccination from DH each year.
(g) To ensure an adequate supply of varicella vaccine after its
incorporation into CIP, DH will enter into contracts with vaccine
suppliers and impose appropriate provisions and requirements.
(h) DH has established mechanism to regularly monitor the supply and use
of vaccines under the CIP in Hong Kong.
Ends/Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Issued at HKT 12:55
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