In support of WHO's World Immunisation Week, DH urges public to get vaccinated on time to protect their health
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"Immunisation is widely recognised as one of the most successful, safe and cost-effective public health interventions, protecting millions of lives worldwide each year from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, such as measles, hepatitis B and certain cancers (including liver and cervical cancer). In order to build on past successes and effectively control vaccine-preventable diseases, it is crucial that every generation works together to get vaccinated in a timely manner, as recommended by the CHP. However, in recent years, some voices opposing vaccination have emerged in society. They mistakenly believe that vaccine-preventable diseases are already under control and therefore vaccination is no longer necessary. Some even spread unscientific claims such as 'vaccines are unsafe'. In recent years, low vaccination coverage has led to measles outbreaks in many parts of the world, including in some countries that had previously achieved measles elimination. This should serve as a wake-up call, reminding us that we must maintain high overall vaccination rates to ensure herd immunity," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui said.
The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (SCVPD) under the CHP makes recommendations on vaccines for different groups (e.g. children, pregnant women, the elderly, etc) based on local epidemiology and the latest scientific evidence from a public health perspective. With reference to the recommendations of the SCVPD, the Government provides different types of vaccines and boosters for children from birth to Primary Six to protect them from 12 communicable diseases, as well as other vaccination services, such as seasonal influenza vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, and the COVID-19 vaccines for people in high-risk groups to boost their immunity and reduce the risk of infection or severe complications.
"Delaying vaccination reduces protection against relevant communicable diseases. Parents should arrange for their children to receive immunisations on schedule to ensure comprehensive and timely protection. New immigrants to Hong Kong, as well as those coming to study or work here, should complete any necessary catch-up vaccinations before arrival if they are unsure of their immunisation status, have not completed their vaccination series, or have unclear vaccination records. Additionally, members of the public planning to travel to areas experiencing outbreaks or high incidence rates of vaccine-preventable diseases should first confirm that they have completed the relevant vaccinations. Anyone who has not completed their immunisation or with an unknown vaccination history should consult their family doctor at least two weeks before travelling. Individuals returning to Hong Kong from areas experiencing outbreaks or high incidence rates of vaccine-preventable diseases should inform healthcare personnel of their symptoms and travel history, so that appropriate infection control measures can be implemented at the healthcare facilities to prevent any potential transmission," said Dr Tsui.
For more information on World Immunisation Week and the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme, please visit the relevant DH websites.
Ends/Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:15
Issued at HKT 16:15
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