More than 900 private doctors joined Hong Kong's public hospitals and clinics on Monday to provide subsidized vaccinations against the influenza A/H1N1 to target groups of local residents.

Chronic patients, pregnant women, those aged 65 or above, and children aged six months to less than six years can receive the flu jab a subsidy of 129 HK dollars (US$16.5) per dose from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government.

They can also choose to receive the vaccine for free at about 200 designated clinics run by the Department of Health or the Hospital Authority, which has been providing the vaccine for free to the target groups since December 21.

Gabriel Leung, Acting Secretary for Food and Health, said after a visit to some clinics that he was pleased to see many residents receiving the flu jab.

More than 31,000 people have received the vaccination at clinics of the Hospital Authority and the Department of Health since December 21, and the subsidy had been applied for in 967 doses administered by private doctors by 1:00 PM, Leung said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 29, 2009)