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VSS FAQs by General Public - Procedures to Obtain Subsidy

VSS FAQs by General Public - Procedures to Obtain Subsidy
2023-09-11
  1. Where can eligible persons receive the subsidised influenza vaccination? Do eligible persons / their parents need to make an appointment before the vaccination?
  2. Do parents / guardians have to take their child / ward to get the vaccination in person?
  3. What documents do I have to present when I / my child gets the vaccination?
  4. Can elderly bring their senior citizen card to the enrolled doctor instead of Hong Kong Identity Card for vaccination?
  5. Who should sign the "Consent to Use Vaccination Subsidy" form?
  6. How can the mentally incapacitated persons (including those who are mentally handicapped and mentally disordered) use the vaccination subsidy?
  7. If the person is illiterate, how can he / she sign on the "Consent to Use Vaccination Subsidy" form?
  8. If the person is illiterate, can staff of medical organisations (e.g. nurses) be the witness in the "Consent to Use Vaccination Subsidy" form?
  9. What is the purpose of requiring subsidized persons or their parents / guardians to sign the “Consent to Use Vaccination Subsidy” form?
  10. Is it necessary to open an eHealth (Subsidies) account for vaccination?
  11. If enrolled doctor provides outreaching vaccination services, how can vaccine recipients identify them?
  12. Can elderly get influenza vaccination and pneumococcal vaccination at different clinics?

1. Where can eligible persons receive the subsidised influenza vaccination/ pneumococcal vaccination? Do eligible persons / their parents need to make an appointment before the vaccination?

Only doctors enrolled in the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS) can provide subsidised vaccination. Information about doctors who have joined VSS is posted on the Centre for Health Protection website. Enrolled doctors also display the VSS logo and price poster in their clinics for public’s identification. You / parents may contact the clinic to check if it is necessary to make an appointment.

2. Do parents / guardians have to take their child / ward to get the vaccination in person?

Not necessarily. Another person, e.g. a relative / domestic helper may bring the child / ward to an enrolled doctor for vaccination, provided that the parent / guardian has completed and signed the “Consent to Use Vaccination Subsidy” form. The form should be handed in after the doctor / medical staff has confirmed the child / ward can receive the vaccination.

3. What documents do I have to present when I / my child gets the vaccination?

The following documents should be presented to the enrolled doctor:

  • Hong Kong resident identity document (e.g. Hong Kong Identity Card or Hong Kong Birth Certificate.

  • If the child is aged 18 years or above but studying at secondary school, bring along the child's Student Handbook / Student Card and submit a photocopy to the doctor;

  • For persons with intellectual disability (PID), bring along their Registration Card for People with Disabilities (with indication of intellectual disability or mentally handicap), or a certificate certifying the person is a PID or eligible for VSS 2023/24 issued by a registered doctor or the person in-charge from the designated institutions serving the PID and submit a photocopy to the doctor;

  • For Disability Allowance recipients, bring along the letter issued by the Social Welfare Department informing their successful application for Disability Allowance and submit a photocopy to the doctor;

  • For persons aged 12 to under 50 who are recipients of standard rate of “100% disabled” or “requiring constant attendance” under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme, bring along their valid “Certificate of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Recipients (for Medical Waivers)” which was issued before 15 December 2018, or Annex page of valid “Notification of Successful Application” / “Notification of Revision of Assistance” to proof his/her eligibility for CSSA and submit a photocopy to the doctor. The person or the parent/ guardian is required to sign a self-declaration form provided by the doctor enrolled in the VSS to declare his/her eligibility status as in receipt of standard rate of payment as being certified of 100% disabled or requiring constant attendance under the CSSA scheme;

  • If parents / guardians ask others to bring their children / wards to clinic for vaccination, they should complete the "Consent to Use Vaccination Subsidy" beforehand. The form is available at enrolled doctors' clinics, or downloadable from the Centre for Health Protection website;

  • The immunisation records (vaccination cards)

4. Can elderly bring their senior citizen card to the enrolled doctor instead of Hong Kong Identity Card for vaccination?

No. Eligible elderly should show his / her valid Hong Kong Identity Card or Certificate of Exemption to get the subsidised vaccination services.

5. Who should sign the "Consent to Use Vaccination Subsidy" form?

For persons aged below 18 years / persons with mental incapacitation, the "Consent to Use Vaccination Subsidy" form should be signed by parents / guardians. Otherwise, the form can be signed by the vaccine recipients.

6. How can the mentally incapacitated persons (including those who are mentally handicapped and mentally disordered) use the vaccination subsidy?

Guardians are given the legal power by the Guardianship Board to make important decisions. For cases with the Director of Social Welfare Department as the legal guardian, they will be followed up by social workers of the Social Welfare Department. Regarding persons who are incapable of making their own decisions and have no legal guardian, issues concerned are usually handled by their family members or social workers (not duly authorised) on the premise that the benefit and welfare of the persons are safeguarded. These arrangements are also applicable to the scheme.

7. If the person is illiterate, how can he / she sign on the “Consent to Use Vaccination Subsidy” form?

If the person is illiterate, he / she can put a finger print on the space for signature to indicate that he / she agrees with the use of Government subsidy for vaccination service. The process needs to be witnessed by an adult who should put his / her name, Hong Kong Identity Card number and sign on the "Consent to Use Vaccination Subsidy" form as well.

8. If the person is illiterate, can staff of medical organisations (e.g. nurses) be the witness in the "Consent to Use Vaccination Subsidy" form?

Yes. The witness has to write down his / her name, Hong Kong Identity Card number and sign on the "Consent to Use Vaccination Subsidy" form.

9. What is the purpose of requiring subsidized persons or their parents / guardians to sign the “Consent to Use Vaccination Subsidy” form?

Subsidised persons or their parents / guardians sign the "Consent to Use Vaccination Subsidy" form to indicate that he/she agrees to use the Government subsidy for vaccination(s) and to have their / their child / their ward’s personal data transferred to the Government, Hospital Authority or other relevant healthcare personnel. Staff of the Department of Health may contact the subsidised person or their parent / guardian to verify the information related to vaccination under VSS. The vaccine recipients / parents / guardians should keep all their immunisation records properly. The Consent to Use Vaccination Subsidy form should be completed before vaccination. All signature dates should not be later than the vaccination date.

10. Is it necessary to open an eHealth (Subsidies) account for vaccination?

If elderly have already used health care vouchers for health care, they do not need to create another account for vaccine subsidy use. Clinic staff will check your account through the eHealth System (Subsidies) and make use of the Government subsidy for the vaccination. If you have never used health care vouchers / vaccination subsidies, clinic staff will open an eHealth (Subsidies) account for you.

11. If enrolled doctor provides outreach vaccination services, how can vaccine recipients identify them?

Apart from the scheme logo, recipients or their carers can also browse the list of enrolled doctors who provide outreach vaccination service at the Centre for Health Protection website.

12. Can elderly get influenza vaccination and pneumococcal vaccination at different clinics?

Yes. Please provide vaccination record / information to enrolled doctor first to check which type of vaccine you require.