Hong Kong paediatrician urges parents to vaccinate children as temperatures fall
A Hong Kong paediatric expert has called on parents to arrange influenza vaccinations for their children ahead of cooler temperatures next week, warning of a double whammy of overlapping summer and winter flu seasons. The city has recorded 29 cases of severe paediatric influenza infection this flu season, two of which were fatal. Dr Mike Kwan Yat-wah, former president of the Asian Society for…
A Hong Kong paediatrician has urged parents to vaccinate their children against influenza as the city prepares for a potential double flu season. Dr Mike Kwan Yat-wah, a former president of the Asian Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases, warned that cooler temperatures could exacerbate the spread of the virus. This season, Hong Kong has seen 29 cases of severe paediatric influenza, with two fatalities.
Kwan explained that cold weather makes viruses easier to transmit due to changes in the virus's structure and the nature of respiratory droplets. He also noted the presence of other viruses like the respiratory syncytial virus and Covid-19, which could complicate the situation. Kwan emphasized that children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to severe symptoms and complications from influenza, such as a cytokine storm, which can lead to multiple organ inflammation and rapid deterioration.
He recommended getting vaccinated as it can reduce the risk of a cytokine storm. Kwan also advised good hygiene practices and advised those who fall ill to complete any prescribed medication to ensure effective treatment. Currently, only a quarter of children in the relevant age groups have received the seasonal influenza vaccine through government programs.
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