CHP appeals to parents to arrange seasonal influenza vaccination for their children as soon as possible especially young children aged 6 months to under 2 years
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"With the promotion efforts made by the Government and the support from all sectors of the society, over 1.33 million doses of vaccines have been administered since the launch of the 2025/26 SIV Programmes (including the SIV School Outreach Programme, the Residential Care Home Vaccination Programme and Vaccination Subsidy Scheme) in late September, representing an approximately 3.9 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. However, the coverage rate of children aged 6 months to under 2 years is relatively low, which is about 14 per cent only. As in the past, severe or death cases associated with influenza this season primarily affect the elderly and children. However, compared to the winter influenza season earlier this year, children have been particularly affected this season and there has been more severe paediatric influenza infection cases. Eighteen severe influenza cases involving children have been recorded so far this summer influenza season, including two fatal cases. The affected children aged 11 months to 17 years. Nine cases have been recorded since the launch of this year's SIV Programmes, with only one having received this year's SIV four days prior to the onset of illness. As it generally takes two weeks for the body to develop sufficient protection after vaccination, in other words, these severe influenza cases are not protected by the vaccine," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
He urged parents to arrange SIV for their children as soon as possible, and hope all sectors of society could join hands in educating parents on the importance of vaccination. This will promote a greater vaccine uptake among young children, increase the vaccination coverage rate, and strengthen protection for children.
"Through the Primary Healthcare Commission, the CHP has urged family doctors to assist in encouraging parents to give consent for their children to receive SIV, especially young children aged 6 months to under 2 years who were unvaccinated. The Government has opened all 29 of the DH's Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) for all children aged 6 months to under 2 years to receive the vaccine. Moreover, the District Health Centres and District Health Centre Expresses and their service outlets under the Primary Healthcare Commission in the 18 districts, and 74 Family Medicine Clinics and 38 public hospitals of the Hospital Authority to provide more choices for the public. For the list of vaccination venues, please refer to the CHP's Vaccination Schemes page. Parents of eligible children may book an appointment for their children to receive vaccinations at designated MCHCs via the online booking system," said Dr Tsui.
Regarding schools, to boost SIV rates, enrolment for the SIV School Outreach Programme has started since the beginning of June this year, which was earlier than last year. The CHP has also introduced enhancement measures. All schools may opt for the nasal live attenuated influenza vaccines and the "hybrid mode", which allows schools to choose both the injectable inactivated influenza vaccines and the nasal live attenuated influenza vaccines during the same or different outreach vaccination activities. With the concerted efforts of the Government and various community sectors (including the medical sector and schools), approximately 2 300 schools (99 per cent) are going to arrange SIV school outreach activities.
"In view of the continued increase in influenza activity and the number of school outbreaks since the start of the school year, the CHP has actively contacted the schools since mid-last month, urging them to try to further advance school outreach activities where feasible. Twenty-three schools have responded to the CHP's call to advance their outreach activities, originally scheduled for December this year or January next year, to be held by the end of this month. To date, over 2 220 schools (96 per cent) are going to arrange SIV school outreach activities by the end of this month, while all participating schools will conduct the SIV school outreach activities by the end of December, which are higher than the 83 per cent and 91 per cent recorded respectively during the same period last year. Thanks to the schools' concerted efforts in expediting the SIV outreach activities, reported school influenza outbreaks have significantly decreased recently. The number of school outbreaks fell from the peak of 169 cases in the week of October 12 to 18, to 61 cases last week. I believe that the School Outreach Programme has offered greater convenience for parents, resulting in a vaccination coverage rate of about 44 per cent for children aged 2 to under 12. I hope that more schools will participate in the School Outreach Programme in future, providing greater convenience for pupils and safeguarding their health," Dr Tsui said.
He reminded members of the public that, especially children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, should seek medical advice promptly if they present with fever and respiratory symptoms for early treatment. As children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly, parents must pay close attention to their children's condition. They should go to an Accident and Emergency Department immediately if the child's condition deteriorates, for example, if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions.
Separately, high-risk individuals should wear surgical masks when staying in crowded places. People with respiratory symptoms, even if mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly. They should also consider whether to attend work or school.
For more information on the SIV programmes, please visit the Vaccination Schemes page or call the CHP during office hours at 2125 2125.
Ends/Friday, November 14, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:43
Issued at HKT 19:43
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