The Lands Department (LandsD) today (February 20) posted resumption notices and acquisition notices in accordance with relevant ordinances to resume about 56 hectares of private land and acquire about 14.54 square metres o… read more
Police today (February 20) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Ma On Shan. Lee Man-keung, aged 24, went missing after he left his residence in Yiu On Estate on Februar… read more
The Department of Health (DH) said today (February 20) that it is investigating and following up on an incident in which pneumococcal vaccine was mistakenly administered to two children who were originally scheduled to receive hepatitis B vaccine at the Tin Shui Wai Maternal and Child Health Centre (MCHC). The DH has explained and apologised to the parents of the affected children. So far, there has been no adverse reaction in the affected children, and pediatricians have assessed that the incident would not pose a health risk to the children concerned.
In accordance with the regular monitoring mechanism, the Tin Shui Wai MCHC reviewed the vaccination records after the end of the service session on February 17 and found that the number of vaccines administered during the session between 4pm and 5.30pm on that day did not correspond to the number of vaccines that should have been administered. Thus, the incident was discovered.
Seven children should have received the hepatitis B vaccine during the said period. Upon review of the number of vaccines administered, it was found that there were two doses of hepatitis B vaccine left unused and two extra doses of 15-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV15) were used. After double-checking with the vaccine stock, it was found that two children had been incorrectly immunised with PCV15 during that period.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the children vaccinated during that period were between 1 month and 7 months old. Under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme (HKCIP), children receive the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, followed by the second and third doses at 1 month and 6 months of age respectively; for PCV15, the first two doses should be administered at 2 months and 4 months of age, and a booster dose should be given at 12 months of age.
The DH’s healthcare staff have contacted the parents of the seven children to apologise and explain the follow-up actions that the DH would take. Arrangements have also been made for paediatricians to conduct detailed examinations of the children as soon as possible, to provide them with an additional dose of hepatitis B vaccine at an appropriate time, and to complete three doses of PCV15 vaccinations in accordance with the HKCIP.
The healthcare staff of the DH have consulted pediatricians and made reference to relevant information. After careful assessment, it was believed that the incident would not pose a health risk to the children concerned.
The investigation is ongoing. A preliminary investigation indicated that the incident was caused by human error. The DH has instructed all MCHCs to strengthen the training of frontline staff to ensure that they strictly follow the internal guidelines on checking vaccine and patient information before administering vaccines, and verifying the information with the person accompanying the child for vaccination to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.
The DH would like to reiterate its sincere apology to those affected. The nursing staff involved in the incident have been suspended from vaccination duties. If it is confirmed that any staff involved has committed misconduct, the case will be dealt with in accordance with the established procedures. Subject to the outcome of further investigation, the DH will not rule out the possibility of referring the case to the Nursing Council of Hong Kong for appropriate follow-up action. read more
The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, visited Guangzhou today (February 20) and met with local government officials to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.
Upon arrival, Ms Chan met with the Director of the Department of Transport of Guangdong Province, Mr Lin Feiming, and Deputy Director of the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department Mr Guo Xiangyang respectively, as well as representatives from the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and the Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission. They exchanged views on various matters, including the operation of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and promoting and driving the flow of people and goods between Hong Kong and Guangdong. She also visited local transportation facilities to learn about their operations.
Ms Chan said, “Hong Kong has always been maintaining close ties with Guangdong Province, and strives to pursue innovation in cross-boundary transport policies and promote the development of a ‘one-hour living circle’ in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles (the scheme) launched by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in July 2023 has been well received by its citizens. As at mid-February this year, around 80 000 Hong Kong private cars have obtained valid permits for travelling to Guangdong, which means one in every six eligible private cars has joined the scheme.”
Ms Chan expressed her gratitude for the ongoing and strong support from various units of Guangdong Province to the continuous enhancements of the scheme, providing citizens with a better and more convenient travel experience. The HKSAR Government will continue to explore with different units of the Mainland the implementation arrangements for allowing Guangdong private cars to travel to Hong Kong. The details are expected to be announced in due course.
Ms Chan concluded her duty visit and returned to Hong Kong tonight.
Long Join Limited was fined $116,000 at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today (February 20) for violation of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance and the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear) Regulations. The prosecutions were launched by the Labour Department.
The case involved a fatal accident that occurred on November 10, 2023, at a construction site in Tung Chung, Lantau Island. During a lifting operation of a metal fin for external wall installation work, the metal fin fell and struck an employee who was walking underneath the work position. The employee sustained serious injuries and passed away on the same day. read more