Hong Kong's Chief Executive gets flu jab to show faith in vaccine

Starting Monday, Hong Kong will offer A/H1-N1 flu vaccination to five types of highly vulnerable groups, including seniors and kids.

The chief executive of the Hong Kong SAR government, Donald Tseng and 2 high-profile local government officials, along with members of the 13 medical were the first to take the vaccination.

Tseng says, the type of flu vaccine used in Hong Kong is different from the one used in the US. Europe has used more than 2 million doses of this type of vaccine, with very few side-effects. The region's government wants all groups vulnerable to the flu, to be innocculated as soon as possible.

The region has purchased more than 3 million doses. The first batch consisting of 500 thousand doses has been sent to Hong Kong. 80% were sent to public run medical systems for free injection to highly vulnerable groups.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang (L) receives a H1N1 flu  vaccination at a clinic in Hong Kong December 17, 2009. Hong Kong  will start on December 21 a mass flu vaccination programme for two  million people ahead of the winter season.REUTERS/Government  Information Services