Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CE and Principal Officials receive seasonal influenza vaccination
Mr Lee said, “Vaccination is one of the most effective means for preventing seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death arising from influenza. I appeal to members of the public to get vaccinated as early as possible to protect themselves and their family members.”
Under the vigorous promotion by the Government, and with support from all sectors of the community, more than 2.03 million doses of vaccines were administered under various SIV programmes in the previous year (2025/26), with overall coverage rates of the target population remaining similar to those of the preceding year. Among children and adolescents, the SIV rate for persons aged 6 months to under 18 years reached 64.8 per cent, which is 13.1 percentage points higher than the average for the same period over the past three seasons (51.7 per cent). The vaccination rate for adolescents aged 12 to under 18 years reached 61.4 per cent, representing a substantial increase of 22.6 percentage points compared with the average for the same period over the past three seasons (38.8 per cent).
The Government-subsidised SIV programmes, including the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme, the Government Vaccination Programme, the SIV School Outreach Programme and the Residential Care Home Vaccination Programme, provide free or subsidised influenza vaccinations to children and adolescents aged 6 months to under 18 years, adults aged 18 to 49 with chronic medical conditions (regardless of financial status), persons aged 50 or above (including the elderly living in residential care homes), pregnant women and healthcare workers, and others.
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, “Various SIV programmes have been fully commenced on September 17 to provide free or subsidised SIV services for eligible persons. Since it takes about two weeks after receiving an SIV for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection, I strongly urge members of the public to get vaccinated early.”
For more details, members of the public may call the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health at 2125 2125 or visit the Vaccination SchemesIssued at HKT 12:46
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