Disclosure of schools not on flu vaccine program defended after some backlash

Marcus Lum

Health authorities are responsible for informing parents about schools not participating in the flu vaccine outreach program despite multiple "reminders, suggestions and invitations," says Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau.

It comes after the Department of Health listed 168 schools and kindergartens that refused to arrange the influenza vaccine outreach service for their students last week.

Lo said seasonal flu is affecting the health of Hongkongers, especially children and the elderly.

By revealing the list of schools not participating in the scheme, parents can act to get their children vaccinated elsewhere, he said.

Although Lo understands parents may choose not to vaccinate for various reasons, he believes schools should provide them with the option.

"If schools encounter any resistance, Department of Health staff would do their best to cooperate and coordinate to resolve the issues," he said.

Lawmaker Tang Fei, who is also vice chairman of the Federation of Education Workers, criticized the disclosure of the list of schools.

While doubting the effectiveness of the list in boosting schools' participation in the program, Tang described it as "picking on schools like primary schoolkids" to shame them.

Tang said the administration should respect everyone's rights and should not use tactics to force compliance but instead continue to work with schools to join the program.

He suggested considering announcing a list of schools participating in the program while requiring schools who have not signed up for the program to explain their reasons.

The department's move also sparked dissatisfaction within the education sector, an insider said.

The source said that the program is on a voluntary basis, and schools should be able to decide whether to participate or not based on their actual situation.

It is understood that some school sponsoring bodies were "flabbergasted" by the disclosure.

School principals of some schools that were on the list were angry and dissatisfied.

The authorities should have communicated with schools in advance instead of publishing the list online, the source said.

marcus.lum@siingtaonewscorp.com