Hong Kong Flu Season Spikes as Child Vaccinations Drop
Fewer kids are getting flu shots, and the season is lasting longer—what parents need to know.
Hong Kong’s summer flu season is still not easing, and a senior health official has warned of a higher risk of influenza infection as vaccination rates fall — after a second unvaccinated child died from flu. Centre for Health Protection controller Edwin Tsui Lok-kin says uptake among children aged two to 11 is down five percentage points.
Hong Kong has administered more than 900,000 flu vaccine doses since September 17, about 10% fewer than the same period last year, when it had given one million. Tsui expects this year’s season to last longer than last year’s: last year’s was “pretty much over by week 18,” while the city is now at about week 16 with no sign of it waning, which he attributes to a shift in the virus strain.
- Child flu vaccination rates in Hong Kong have dropped by 5 percentage points, and overall doses are down 10% from last year.
- Two unvaccinated children have died from flu this season, and the season is expected to last longer than usual.
- Health officials urge parents to vaccinate children against flu to prevent severe illness and death.
Why It Matters
Falling vaccination rates put children at risk of severe flu; parents should ensure kids are vaccinated to prevent tragedy.