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Cannix Yau

A 19-month-old unvaccinated toddler is in a critical condition after contracting the flu, becoming the ninth serious case of influenza in children recorded since January, Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection has said.
The centre said on Saturday the boy was still being treated in a paediatric intensive care unit in hospital and urged residents who had yet to receive their flu shots to do so immediately to minimise the risk of serious complications or death if they became infected.
Only a fifth of children aged two and under have been vaccinated against the flu, official data shows.
“The 19 month-old boy with good past health developed a fever and cough on January 30,” a centre spokesman said. “The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with severe pneumonia.”
The centre said the boy had no travel history during the incubation period and his household contacts were so far asymptomatic.
It added the centre had recorded nine cases of severe flu in children since the start of the influenza season in early January, seven of which involved minors who were unvaccinated.
“Influenza vaccination has been scientifically proven to be one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, while significantly reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death from seasonal influenza,” the spokesman said.
“All people aged six months and above (except those with known contraindications) who have not yet received seasonal influenza vaccination should act immediately, particularly the elderly and children who have a higher risk of becoming infected with influenza and developing complications.”
He added the inoculation rate for children aged between six months and less than two years remained relatively low at about 20.9 per cent as of January 26.
“Although slightly higher than that of the same period last year, it was still lower than that of other age groups of children,” he said.
The government has opened the Department of Health’s Maternal and Child Health Centres to all children aged six months to under two years.
Parents can book appointments online for their children to receive vaccinations at designated centres.
The spokesman reminded residents to take preventive measures to minimise the risk of infection, including wearing surgical masks, and maintaining good personal and environmental hygiene.


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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

19-month-old boy in critical condition with flu at Hong Kong hospital

A notice on infection control steps at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Residents have been reminded to take preventive measures to minimise the risk of infection, including wearing surgical masks, and maintaining good personal and environmental hygiene. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong records 88 flu deaths in first weeks of winter influenza season

The accident and emergency department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei. The winter flu season began on January 5, and experts have warned that the worst is yet to come. Photo: Jelly Tse

During the first three weeks of the winter flu season, 144 adults were admitted to intensive care units. Photo: Jelly Tse

2 unvaccinated Hong Kong children severely ill after contracting flu

The Infectious Disease Centre at Princess Margaret Hospital in Hong Kong. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong authorities have urged residents, especially the young and elderly, to get the flu jab. Photo: May Tse

News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

Only fifth of children aged two and under have been vaccinated against flu, official data shows.


Flu in Hong Kong