Hong Kong urges parents not to delay childhood vaccinations as US limits jabs

The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has urged parents not to delay childhood vaccinations, despite the United States reducing its immunisation recommendations. The CHP maintains that all public health policies and medical advice must be grounded in scientific evidence, warning that altering vaccination schedules without proper research could pose significant risks to children's health.

Under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme (HKCIP), children from birth to Primary Six are required to receive vaccinations against 11 infectious diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, polio, and HPV. The CHP emphasizes that delaying vaccinations reduces protection against these diseases and encourages parents to adhere to the HKCIP for comprehensive and timely protection.

In contrast, the US President signed an executive order in January 2023, recommending vaccinations only for specific high-risk groups or populations, such as against respiratory syncytial virus monoclonal antibodies, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal B, meningococcal ACWY, and dengue. The US order also phased out the combined MMR vaccination into three separate visits and aimed to challenge state laws requiring school attendance for vaccinated children, citing concerns over parental authority, religious freedom, disability accommodations, and equal protection under the law.

In Hong Kong, a case highlights the tension between the government's vaccination policy and parental concerns. The parents of a child under the Social Welfare Department's guardianship, Danny, applied for a legal order to review his vaccination, expressing fear and anger over the authorities' decision. The centre defended the government's stance on vaccination, acknowledging the high trust and support from parents, schools, and healthcare professionals that have kept childhood infectious disease incidence extremely low in Hong Kong.

The centre also defended the effectiveness and safety of combination vaccines, such as the MMR and MMRV, stating that they provide sufficient protection while reducing the need for multiple injections and minimizing the risk of missed doses.