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Second dose measles vaccine for P6 pupils to be introduced
A second dose of measles vaccine will be introduced to all primary six students with effect from this academic year, the Department of Health announced today (Thursday).
A spokesman for the department said: "The two-dose regime, in line with the strategies in UK and USA, will boost the coverage of the measles vaccine in the population and hence the herd immunity of the disease.
"The second dose will also enhance the immunity of older children, especially those not protected by the first dose."
The vaccination will be administered in the form of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first dose will as usual be given to infants at one year of age. The second dose will be given to primary six students as part of the school immunisation campaign.
Given at primary six, MMR second dose will also replace the antirubella vaccine hitherto given to all primary six schoolgirls.
Parents are urged to give consent for their children to receive the vaccination in schools. Health education leaflets and consent forms are now being distributed to primary six school children via the school principals.
"Measles is a highly contagious and serious infection. With increased herd immunity, the chances of measles outbreak will be minimised in the territory," the spokesman said.
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Parade to mark Royal Air Force farewell
The Royal Air Force will pay a ceremonial farewell to its last station in Asia at the annual Battle of Britain commemoration parade at its base in Sek Kong on Sunday (September 15).
The Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, accompanied by Commander British Forces, Major General Bryan Dutton, will take the salute.
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