Hong Kong parents urged to vaccinate young children amid rising summer flu cases
Hong Kong parents have been urged to vaccinate their young children as cases of influenza among children have risen across the city. Mike Kwan, honorary clinical associate professor of the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at the University of Hong Kong, said on Commercial Radio on Monday that flu-related hospitalisations of children have risen […]
Hong Kong authorities are urging parents to vaccinate their young children due to a rise in influenza cases among children. Mike Kwan, a paediatrician, reported a surge in flu-related hospitalizations, with some children experiencing high fevers lasting several days. Hong Kong currently operates in its summer flu season, which typically starts in June and ends in January.
Kwan advises parents to vaccinate their young children, as flu shots offer the best protection against serious illness. The government's vaccination program for 2026/27 begins soon, providing free vaccines to high-risk groups, including children aged six months and older, pregnant women, and the elderly. However, the vaccination rate among children aged six months to two years stands at only 27 percent, significantly lower than the rate among older children.
Director of Health Ronald Lam highlighted that only 19 severe pediatric flu cases have been reported this year, with eight involving unvaccinated children under five years old. These unvaccinated children face up to five times the risk of severe flu compared to their vaccinated peers.
Written by urgent.news from Hong Kong Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
