Don’t drop your guard against influenza – get the flu jab now!

Boost your immunity before the flu season

The winter influenza season is approaching. Given that the local seasonal influenza activity has been staying at low levels since February 2020, the overall immunity against influenza in the community is at present relatively low. With more frequent travel and social interactions, the risk of getting influenza could increase greatly.

Receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine (SIV) can boost our immunity against the flu virus, thus preventing flu and its complications; and reducing the risks of hospital admission and death. SIVs are safe and most of the side effects such as muscle soreness, swelling, and redness at the injection site are mild. Some persons may have a fever, muscle pain, and tiredness after receiving vaccination but they usually go away after two days.

As it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body, it is important to get the flu jab of 2022/23 years as early as possible to obtain better protection.

Seasonal influenza vaccine can be co-administered with COVID-19 vaccines

A person getting influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and has a higher risk of death. It is therefore important to receive both SIV and COVID-19 vaccination. SIV can be co-administered with, or at any time before or after, COVID-19 vaccines under informed consent.

Where to receive co-administration of SIV and COVID-19 vaccine?

Hong Kong residents aged 50 years or above may receive both COVID-19 vaccination and free SIV at Community Vaccination Centres in various districts. Eligible persons can make reservations through the booking system of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme (booking.covidvaccine.gov.hk), or choose to receive free SIV on-site when they are receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.

Young children aged 6 to 36 months and 3 years to under 18 years may choose to receive both vaccines at designated Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) and Student Health Service Centres (SHSCs) respectively under the Department of Health when they make reservation. Please find the list of MCHCs and SHSCs in the following webpage: https://www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/en/programme.

Other persons may receive both vaccines through private doctors or clinics while stocks last. If the private doctor providing the COVID-19 vaccine is also enrolled under the Government’s Vaccination Subsidy Scheme to provide SIV, eligible persons may receive both vaccines for free or with a subsidy. Please visit the webpage: https://apps.hcv.gov.hk/Public/en/SPS/Search to select a private doctor or clinic in your preferred district and contact them for details and make a booking to receive vaccines.

For further inquiries, please contact the Department of Health at 2125 2125 or visit the Centre for Health Protection website https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/100632.html.