Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases issues recommendations on seasonal influenza vaccinations for 2026-27 season
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The SCVPD recommended that the priority groups for SIV during the 2026-27 influenza season remain the same as in the previous season (2025-26), including health care workers, persons aged 50 years or above, pregnant women, residents of residential care homes, persons with chronic medical problems, children and adolescents aged 6 months to under 18 years, poultry workers, as well as pig farmers and pig-slaughtering industry personnel.
Regarding vaccine types, the SCVPD recommended that all locally registered trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines can be used during the 2026-27 influenza season, comprising the inactivated influenza vaccine, the live attenuated influenza vaccine (i.e. nasal vaccine) and the recombinant influenza vaccine. Moreover, the composition of the influenza virus strains to be used during the 2026-27 influenza season should align with the WHO's recommendations for the 2026-27 Northern Hemisphere influenza season.
Regarding the timing of vaccinations, the SCVPD recommended that the public receive SIV before the onset of the main influenza season. Based on local historical data, influenza activity generally remained at a relatively high level from January to April each year. Another peak of influenza activity also occurred around July or August in some years. Since vaccine manufacturers must wait for the WHO to announce its recommendations on virus strains for the Northern Hemisphere seasonal influenza vaccines in February or March each year before beginning production, the SCVPD considered that October or November is the most optimal time for vaccination.
Additionally, the SCVPD emphasised that establishing a comprehensive vaccination data system is crucial for assessing vaccination coverage and effectiveness among different population groups. Currently, the Government lacks comprehensive data on influenza vaccinations administered in the private sector at the public's own expense. The SCVPD recommended that the eHealth System (eHealth) be effectively utilised in the future. All healthcare professionals are encouraged to promptly update patients' vaccination records through eHealth to enable comprehensive integration of data on vaccinations administered to the public in both public and private healthcare institutions. This will help monitor vaccination rates and support public health management.
"The CHP conducted an in-depth analysis of the relationship between influenza-related serious complications and influenza vaccination during the 2025 summer influenza season. The data showed that the rate of severe complications or death after contracting seasonal influenza among children who did not receive the 2025-26 SIV was about five times that of vaccinated children. Similarly, the rate of severe complications among residents aged 65 years or above of residential care homes who did not receive the 2025-26 SIV was about four times that of vaccinated residents. These local data clearly demonstrate that SIV is the most effective way to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications. SIV can also reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death after infection. At the meeting, the experts reviewed the CHP's analysis and agreed that the data underscored the critical role of SIV in preventing serious complications and death," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
"All members of the public, in particular young children and older adults, should receive SIV annually for personal protection, unless they have known contraindications," he added.
Thanks to the joint efforts of all sectors of society, including the Government, the medical sector, schools, parents and institutions, as of March 29, over 2.01 million doses of vaccines had been administered under various SIV programmes in the year 2025-26. The coverage rates for the relevant target groups remain comparable to the same period last season. For the 2026-27 SIV programmes, the Government will continue to make every effort to assist the high-risk groups, especially infants, schoolchildren, those with underlying illnesses and the elderly, in receiving SIV.
Details of the SCVPD recommendations are available on the CHP website.
Ends/Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:51
Issued at HKT 16:51
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