Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau received a seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) at Sai Wan Ho Family Medicine Clinic today, along with other health officials and frontline healthcare workers.

Prof Lo stressed that an SIV is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal flu and its complications. It takes about two weeks following vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza.

“To be prepared for the current summer and possible winter influenza seasons in one go, I strongly appeal to all members of the public to receive SIV as early as possible,” he said.

Over 2.03 million vaccine doses were administered under various SIV programmes in 2025-26, maintaining overall target population coverage rates comparable to the previous year.

The SIV rate for those aged between six months and 17 reached 64.8%, a rise of 13.1 percentage points over the average of the past three seasons. The rate for adolescents aged from 12 to 17 reached 61.4%, an increase of 22.6 percentage points compared to the same three-season average.

Under the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach Programme (SIVSOP), more than 2,300 schools had completed SIV outreach activities by the end of 2025. This meant 99% of all schools were covered, compared to 91% the previous year.

The Government will launch the 2026-27 SIV Programmes on September 17, providing free or subsidised SIVs for children and adolescents aged between six months and 17, adults aged 18 to 49 with chronic medical conditions, people aged 50 or above, pregnant women and healthcare workers.

For the 2026-27 SIV programmes, the Government has procured over 1.3 million doses of four types of influenza vaccines of high quality at competitive prices.

Prof Lo emphasised that the Government has consistently prioritised SIV programmes and has introduced enhancement measures every year to raise vaccination coverage rates. The Government will implement four optimising initiatives this year.

These include optimising vaccine procurement arrangements through a diversified, non-single-supplier procurement approach, thereby ensuring the reliability and sustainability of vaccine sources.

Simultaneously, the Government will introduce a new Electronic Consent Form feature through eHealth, allowing the public to submit e-consent forms for the SIVSOP and the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme via the eHealth mobile application.

To stabilise the vaccine supply in the private market, influenza vaccine doses will increase to 300,000 and eligible doctor groups will be expanded.

Finally, authorities will strengthen the mobilisation of community resources and collaborate with more units to promote and arrange vaccination activities.