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Seasonal Talk: Vaccination for arthritis patients

Seasonal Talk: Vaccination for arthritis patients
7 November 2015

Seasonal Talk: Vaccination for arthritis patients talk was taken part in the Auditorium of Christian Family Service Centre in Kwun Tong on 7 November 2015. The talk aimed to enhance people’s understanding on the function and application of vaccines. There were 87 participants in total.

The talk was started by Dr. David LUNG, a specialist in Clinical Microbiology & Infection, to introduce the development and categories of vaccination. People should consider carefully the necessity and safety of that vaccine. Also, timing of application was a significant factor as this could bring the vaccine into full play without any harm effect to patients. Dr. LUNG stated the function and application of three major vaccination including Seasonal Influenza Vaccine, Pneumococcal Vaccination, Shingles Vaccination and Varicella (chickenpox) Vaccine. Development in vaccination was rapid and there were various kinds of vaccination in the market. Dr. LUNG urged the participants, especially those with arthritis and rheumatism, to discuss with medical personnel to find which kind of vaccination and whether their health condition was appropriate for that vaccine.

Apart from this, the talk was continued by Ms. Judy YU, an advanced practice nurse in rheumatology, to illustrate the correct way to maintain personal and home and environment hygiene. The importance and proper way in washing hands was emphasized. She hoped participants could often be aware of and keep the healthy life style. On top of Dr. LUNG’s introduction, she further explained this year Government Vaccination Programme. It was uneasy to patients with rheumatism to have vaccination before the onset of disease or after withdrawal of medication. Thus, Ms. YU suggested patients should consider to apply vaccination when health condition were stable. Although the effectiveness of vaccination might not be optimal due to the influence of other medication, it did give protection to patients. She urged again patients should talk to medical practitioners to come up with an appropriate timing for vaccination.

The talk then followed by a Q&A session where participants actively asked questions. Dr. LUNG and Ms. YU answered with patience to solve their doubts. The audiences found the information from the talk useful and showed great interested in similar topic.

Please click below link to download the speakers’ powerpoints:

Dr. David Lung
Ms Judy Yu

John Doe

Member