Hong Kong Flu Activity Remains High as Seasonal Vaccination Kicks Off Thursday
Bastillepost · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong Medical Association has called on residents to get vaccinated early as flu activity remains at high levels across the city. Since Hong Kong entered the flu season at the end of June, infection rates have continued climbing through July and into mid-August, with no signs of decline . As schools reopen, health authorities are bracing for a further surge in community transmission. The 2026–2027 seasonal flu vaccination program begins this Thursday, September 17, and the Hospital Authority will provide free jabs to eligible patients attending General Outpatient Clinics on a walk-in basis .
Key Points
- Flu activity has stayed high since late June when the season began, with the Hospital Authority recording 20 severe pediatric cases so far
- Children who have not received the flu vaccine are five times more likely to develop severe illness or die compared to vaccinated children
- Residents aged 50 to 64 and pregnant women have notably low vaccination uptake, prompting the Medical Association to single them out for targeted outreach
- Last season, the 2025–26 flu vaccination program delivered over 2.03 million doses, with the 6-month-to-under-18 age group outperforming the prior three-year average by 13 percentage points
- The government has expanded its Doctor Vaccine Procurement Pilot Scheme, increasing the quota for qualifying doctors from 100,000 to 300,000 doses this season
Why It Matters
The data on unvaccinated children and elderly residents in care homes underscores the life-saving potential of timely flu vaccination, especially for Hong Kong's most vulnerable populations . With the Christmas and Lunar New Year holiday travel season approaching, public health experts are urging residents to get vaccinated well before departure to allow the body sufficient time to develop protective antibodies .
The data on unvaccinated children and elderly residents in care homes underscores the life-saving potential of timely flu vaccination, especially for Hong Kong's most vulnerable populations . With the Christmas and Lunar New Year holiday travel season approaching, public health experts are urging residents to get vaccinated well before departure to allow the body sufficient time to develop protective antibodies .