bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

SCMP Editorial

Civic responsibility can sometimes be self-serving as well as good for society. Getting vaccinated against flu before the peak winter season seems an obvious example, yet for far too many Hongkongers it remains a step too often delayed.
So, it would be wise to heed the timely advice of the Hospital Authority, which has launched its seasonal influenza vaccination programmes.
With flu cases expected to rise as temperatures dip, special outreach projects are targeting schools and residential care homes. There is also a push this year to get more toddlers vaccinated.
Many venues around the city offer seasonal flu jabs, including 16 district health centres. Families may book shots at maternal and child health centres for children aged six months to under two years.

Jabs against flu and Covid-19 can be taken together.
It is understandable that many people will shrug off influenza risks after years of pandemic pressure, but health experts warn that some high-risk individuals and even healthy adults may develop severe or fatal complications from flu.
Dr Raymond Lai Wai-man, the authority’s chief infection control officer, said it could take two to four weeks after receiving a vaccination to develop immunity for at least six months – enough to cover winter flu season.
Hong Kong health authorities declare a flu season when case numbers exceed a certain threshold. It is worrying that the latest round of flu lasted 28 weeks until late July this year, the city’s longest such season on record.
The city recorded 1,214 severe influenza cases and 805 related deaths last season with most fatalities occurring among those aged 65 and above suffering from chronic diseases.
Amid uncertainty about what lies ahead, Matthew Luk Man-hei, a consultant at the family medicine and primary healthcare department of United Christian Hospital, said everyone aged six months or older should get flu shots “as soon as possible”. Only those at risk of a severe allergic reaction to vaccine components or who were severely ill recently with a fever should not have a jab.
The city is on notice – peak flu season may arrive soon and it could be particularly intense. There is no time to waste.


‘Witch flies’ above China on broomstick, Taliban tourism boom, fake visitor attraction and more latest videos

Hong Kong will deepen cooperation with other Apec economies at Lima summit: John Lee

John Lee stresses Hong Kong’s business leaders have autonomy but can contribute more

Cleaner dies after being found in waters off Hong Kong’s Stonecutters Island

Hong Kong

Seize the opportunity to get that Hong Kong flu jab now

Many people will shrug off influenza risks after years of pandemic pressure, but some high-risk individuals and even healthy adults may develop severe or fatal complications from flu, health experts warn. Photo:  Shutterstock

Hong Kong health secretary Lo Chung-mau receives an influenza jab at the Sai Wan Ho General Out-Patient Clinic in September 2023. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Hongkongers urged to get flu jabs as experts warn cases likely to surge when mercury drops

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

Experts have said it can take two to four weeks to build up immunity after getting a flu jab. Photo: Jelly Tse

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

A young girl gets a nasal spray flu vaccine instead of a jab earlier this year. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

An elderly man in a mask walks past an infection control sign at Queen Elizabeth Hospital as the city entered flu season in January. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong can learn from Singapore by buying flu vaccines for 2 hemispheres, expert says

Authorities have urged the public to get vaccinated against the flu as soon as possible. Photo: Edmond So

Professor David Hui says coming flu outbreaks may be small-scale but continuous. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Patients wait to be treated at an accident and emergency department. The city is currently still in the influenza season, authorities have said. Photo: Jelly Tse

Opinion

As peak season approaches, city doctors warn that the sometimes fatal virus targets not only high-risk individuals but also healthy adults


As peak season approaches, city doctors warn that the sometimes fatal virus targets not only high-risk individuals but also healthy adults.


Flu in Hong Kong

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Coronavirus Hong Kong

Coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus pandemic: All stories

Medicine

Disease

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

Editorial

Editorial | Seize the opportunity to get that Hong Kong flu jab now

As peak season approaches, city doctors warn that the sometimes fatal virus targets not only high-risk individuals but also healthy adults