Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau on Monday said Hong Kong is facing a flu peak, and the most effective way to protect the vulnerable groups is through vaccination.

Lo made the appeal as he and health officials received the seasonal flu vaccination at Sai Wan Ho Family Medicine Clinic.

Speaking to the media after getting the jab, Lo said the government has procured 1.3 million vaccine doses for this year’s vaccination programme, with the first batch already arrived in the city.

He said the authorities have adopted various improvement measures, including enhancing the vaccine procurement arrangement, to ensure sustainable jab supply.

Authorities have purchased different types of vaccines – inactivated, recombinant and nasal spray live attenuated jabs – to cater to the needs of different groups, he said.

“Our school outreach programme for students under 18 offers more options, including the nasal spray live attenuated flu vaccine,” Lo said.

“Schools now can choose the vaccine type they want, and if they require both injectable inactivated vaccines and nasal spray jabs, we can send medics to the school to offer both options at the same time, so that all parents can choose their preferred vaccination method.”

The health minister added the authorities have also introduced digital consent forms for flu vaccination, and will further promote vaccination in the community.


Edited by Edmond Fong