The Department of Health said on Monday it had invited staff of essential services and emergency operations in the civil service to get influenza vaccinations.

It was expected that about 45,000 staff would be involved, and adequate stocks of the vaccine had been reserved, the department said.

From Wednesday, staff involved can attend one of the 64 general outpatient clinics under the Hospital Authority to receive a flu shot.

The vaccine used as recommended by the World Health Organization does not prevent avian influenza, but it can help prevent common flu infections.

(Xinhua News Agency February 16, 2004)