High-risk groups to get free flu jabs starting Sept 17
Health officials announced that eligible people will be able to receive free or subsidised influenza vaccinations starting September 17 as part of the government’s annual effort to curb seasonal flu outbreaks. The Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programmes, coordinated by the Centre for Health Protection, will once again prioritise high-risk groups, especially children, the elderly and people with…
The government has announced free or subsidized influenza vaccinations will begin on September 17, targeting high-risk groups such as children, the elderly, and people with chronic medical conditions. Coordinated by the Centre for Health Protection, the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programmes will procure around 1.3 million vaccine doses, including injectable inactivated, nasal spray live-attenuated, and injectable recombinant vaccines.
Seasonal influenza vaccines are crucial in reducing mortality and morbidity, particularly among vulnerable individuals, according to the centre's controller, Edwin Tsui. Previous seasons have seen coverage rates comparable to the previous year, with youngsters aged six months to 18 years achieving 64.8% vaccination rates – 13 percentage points higher than the three-season average.
However, Tsui acknowledged low vaccination rates in certain groups, with only 27% of infants aged six months to two years and 8.3% of adults aged 18 to 49 with chronic illnesses having received the vaccine. Health officials will continue to monitor viral evolution and adjust strategies as needed, collaborating with the World Health Organization.
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