HKMA urges early flu vaccination

The Hong Kong Medical Association (HKMA) has advised the public to get vaccinated against influenza before the peak of the flu season this winter.

The president of the association, Dr. Cheng Chi-man, stated that this year's flu season started early and lasted for seven months, attributing this duration to viral mutations and the ongoing activity of the COVID-19 virus. He specifically noted a case in July where a child co-infected with influenza A and COVID-19 developed encephalitis, emphasizing the importance of early vaccination.

In response to a public consultation begun in July on the Policy Address, Dr. Cheng revealed that the association had previously submitted a proposal urging the government to expand the influenza vaccination subsidy program to include all adults, believing it would greatly benefit public health.

Dr. Tsang Kay-yan, co-chair of the HKMA Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases, stated that all three types of flu vaccines currently available—the inactivated vaccine, the live attenuated nasal spray vaccine, and the recombinant vaccine—are proven to be effective and safe.

"Individuals born after 1988 are at risk of measles vaccine failure," said Professor Lau Yu-lung, Chair Professor of Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at the University of Hong Kong.

Dr. Tsang reminded the public that seasonal flu vaccines can be administered simultaneously with vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella.

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