Hong Kong faces overlapping flu seasons, should discuss adding vaccine to recommended list of jabs, expert says
- University of Hong Kong paediatric expert believes surge could overlap with approaching summer spike
- 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
Hong Kong’s influenza infections are surging and the current flu season may overlap with an approaching summer spike, a medical expert has warned, adding the city should discuss including the vaccination on the list of recommended jabs for children.
He said statistics from health authorities showed the number of consultations on flu infections in both general outpatient and private clinics had soared while public hospitals had recently recorded daily full occupancy rates.
“We expect the summer flu season to come next, so it’s possible there will be an overlap between winter and summer flu seasons,” Kwan told a radio programme.
Since flu infections could persist from the first to second half of the year, there might even be “a series of flu seasons”, he added.
