The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (October 26) that COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 6 months to 11 years under the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme have arrived in Hong Kong. Members of the public can make appointments for eligible children through the Government's online booking platform starting from tomorrow (October 27) at noon.
      
     "Scientific evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing the risk of severe disease and death. Although COVID-19 has become a common respiratory infection in Hong Kong and around the world, certain high-risk individuals, especially young children, who have not received their initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and have not developed immunity through natural infection, face a higher risk of serious complications if they become infected. The World Health Organization (WHO), the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (JSC) under the CHP earlier recommended that COVID-19 vaccines of the LP.8.1, XFG or NB.1.8.1 lineages may be used in the 2026/27 season. In accordance with the above recommendations, the Government has procured the Spikevax XFG mRNA vaccine for children and will begin administering free vaccinations to eligible infants and children aged 6 months to 11 years from Thursday (October 29)," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
      
     Members of the public can make appointments for eligible infants and children aged 6 months to 11 years through the Government's online booking platform at noon on October 27. Parents can also make appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations via the eHealth mobile application for infants and children registered with the eHealth. The system will automatically fill in personal particulars and any COVID-19 vaccination history to facilitate the public when making bookings.
      
     Infants and children may receive COVID-19 vaccinations at designated Maternal and Child Health Centres or Student Health Service Centres under the DH, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, or designated Private Clinic COVID-19 Vaccination Stations. For details, please refer to the relevant webpage.
      
     According to the JSC's latest recommendations, children aged 6 months to 4 years without prior COVID-19 infection should receive two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for completion of initial doses, with an interval of at least 28 days between doses. Children aged 5 years or above (regardless of history of infection) and children aged 6 months to 4 years with prior COVID-19 infection require only one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for completion of the initial dose.
      
     In addition, immunocompetent children aged 6 months to 11 years should receive booster doses at least six months after the last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later), regardless of the number of doses received previously.
      
     Regarding the new batch of COVID-19 vaccines suitable for individuals aged 12 or above, the relevant procurement process is underway. Details will be announced separately.
      
     "Hong Kong entered the influenza season in late June this year. When children receive their COVID-19 vaccine, if they have not yet received the seasonal influenza vaccine, parents may inquire at the vaccination venues about arrangements for the seasonal influenza vaccine. According to scientific evidence, COVID-19 vaccines and seasonal influenza vaccines can be administered at the same time to provide dual protection," said Dr Tsui.
      
     Members of the public may refer to the CHP's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and Seasonal Influenza Webpage for more information.

Ends/Monday, October 26, 2026
Issued at HKT 15:33

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