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Flu in Hong Kong

Families can book a jab at maternal and child health centres for children aged six months to under two years from Wednesday morning. Photo: Edmond So

Hongkongers urged to get flu jabs ahead of predicted case surge when mercury dips

Hospital Authority to launch seasonal influenza vaccination programmes this week, including school and care home outreach projects.

Hospital Authority to launch seasonal influenza vaccination programmes this week, including school and care home outreach projects

Hong Kong’s longest flu season comes to an end after more than 6 months

Hong Kong can learn from Singapore’s dual flu vaccine approach: expert

‘Next Hong Kong flu season to quickly follow current one, likely to be weaker’

Professor Ivan Hung of University of Hong Kong says current H1 flu outbreak expected to last till June or July, before next wave hits a month or two later.

Hong Kong’s current flu season started back in January and might last another one to two months, a health expert said. Photo: Jelly Tse

Don’t delay flu treatment for children, expert tells Hong Kong parents

Professor David Hui says prolonged mask mandate during Covid-19 to blame for longer flu season.

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Hong Kong faces overlapping flu seasons, should discuss adding jab to list: expert

After death of four children from flu this year, professor says it’s time to discuss adding jab to list of recommended shots for children.

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Editorial | Hong Kong child deaths stress need to have flu jabs

Third girl dies from virus as H1 strain sweeps city, helped by Hong Kong’s low herd immunity and poor vaccination rate

Two parents with their child pass by the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. The recent deaths of three girls underscore the importance of people getting inoculated against flu. Photo: Jelly Tse

Death of third Hong Kong girl from flu sparks urgent calls for public to get jabs

Centre for Health Protection warns that dominating flu virus strain might change for second time, possibly extending flu season already longer than usual.

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Low herd immunity in Hong Kong may prolong flu season, experts warn

Low vaccination rate may make it easier for dominating flu virus strain to shift, medical professors say.

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Unvaccinated 8-year-old Hongkonger dies after contracting flu

Authorities say girl developed fever and cough, before suffering convulsions and testing positive for influenza A (H1).

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A medical expert has called for children to get their flu jabs as the world struggles with an “immunity debt” following the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Editorial | Yearly flu jabs may one day be in the past

A project at the University of Hong Kong aims to do away with an injection for the influenza A vaccine by developing a nasal spray administered every three years.

A small-scale vaccine production facility will be set up at the University of Hong Kong’s medical school as part of long-term efforts to develop a highly effective flu shot, a source has said. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong, global experts to work on longer-lasting flu vaccines, Post learns

Cambridge and Seoul researchers to join HKU effort to develop nasal spray vaccines at Global Health Institute.

Editorial | Cold snap a reminder for Hong Kong to be better prepared

With Hong Kong facing a sudden drop in temperatures, not only is it a time to keep warm but also to have those flu and Covid-19 jabs.

Hong Kong Red Cross warns blood supply to run out in days, appeals for donors

Storage of blood types O, A and B will run out in less than four days, while inventories for type AB will only last five or six days, service says.

Lee Cheuk-kwong (right), the chief executive and medical director of Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, says the number of regular donors has declined in recent weeks due to flu-related illnesses. Photo: May Tse

Opinion | Hospitals are mobbed again in flu season. Why won’t everyone just get jabbed?

Hongkongers are rushing to hospital emergency departments at the first sign of flu. However, not enough people, particularly the vulnerable and healthcare workers, are getting the annual flu vaccination.

People wait to get a Covid-19 jab at the Java Road Playground Community Vaccination Station in Hong Kong on January 4 last year. Hongkongers are worried about a recent rise in both flu and Covid-19 cases. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong enters winter flu season with number of outbreaks doubling this week

Centre for Health Protection says flu activity expected to further increase in coming weeks, and urges residents to ‘heighten their vigilance’.

Hong Kong should brace for winter flu season in January: authorities

Dr Edwin Tsui expects a surge in flu cases between January and April as ‘many people may travel overseas during Christmas and attend celebrations on New Year’s Eve’.

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Letters | US-China cooperation vital for stability in Southeast Asia and beyond

Readers discuss the positive momentum in bilateral relations following the Xi-Biden summit, protection against the winter flu season, district council election turnout and taxi drivers’ woes.

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US President Joe Biden greets Chinese President Xi Jinping before a meeting in Woodside, California, on November 15. Photo: AFP / Getty Images / TNS

Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority ‘well prepared’ for surge in demand over winter

Authority’s chief manager says public hospitals bringing in more staff, adding 103 beds and boosting capacity at general outpatient clinics ahead of winter surge.

Hong Kong grapples with surge in mycoplasma pneumoniae cases among children

Experts says respiratory illness cases linked to bacteria have risen, with one noting public hospitals had seen ‘more than 100 cases every month from September onwards.

Hospital Authority chief warns of flu surge as Hong Kong enters mask-free winter

‘People, children in particular, will be more vulnerable as they have not been exposed to any major flu virus in the past three years,’ authority chief Tony Ko says.

The number of flu infections is expected to be high, according to the Hospital Authority chief. Photo: May Tse

Call for flu shots as 37 serious cases in Hong Kong in 1 week lead to 21 deaths

Respiratory expert David Hui from CUHK warns influenza season to peak between January and March, potentially overlapping with Covid outbreak.

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A banner at Kwong Wah Hospital in Yau Ma Tei warning residents against a looming winter flu surge. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong coronavirus sewage check system may expand to look for flu

Health secretary Lo Chung-mau says sewage tests carried out since Covid-19 pandemic hit had helped predict start of outbreaks and could also signal increased flu infection rate.

Editorial | Do the right thing, get those flu jabs ahead of the Hong Kong winter season

With vaccinations now freely available, those from high-risk groups have no excuse to ignore warnings of city’s health professionals

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Hong Kong set for late start to winter flu season in February, expert says

Professor Ivan Hung says seasonal flu cycle has been disrupted by Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in a delayed start to winter outbreak.

The winter flu season is expected to start in February, later than usual, an expert has said. Photo: Shutterstock

Flu cases spike at Hong Kong schools with ‘winter bringing more serious cases’

More than 220 flu outbreaks have been recorded in primary and secondary schools since late August.

The flu vaccination rate for children aged 12 or younger in Hong Kong is roughly 50 per cent. Photo: Shutterstock

Previously healthy girl, 5, Hong Kong’s first child flu fatality of year

Girl, who had not received a flu jab, was taken to hospital last week after developing fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath.

Hong Kong NGO says half of at-risk residents clueless about pneumococcal dangers

Half of at-risk residents aged 50 and above unaware that pneumococcus bacteria is common cause of pneumonia, which was ranked city’s second-deadliest medial condition last year.

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Flu in Hong Kong
Latest news and updates on seasonal influenza outbreaks in Hong Kong, including what is being done to combat the virus.  
last updated:
9 September, 2024
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