COVID-19 Vaccine Reminder: Protect Against Severe Illness as Virus Evolves, Says Hong Kong Health Officials.

DH reminds public to receive COVID-19 vaccine in timely manner

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (December 12) reminded the public that it has been over five months since the last periodic upsurge of COVID-19activity cycle and COVID-19 vaccine should be received in a timely manner to reduce the risk of serious illness and death due to COVID-19.

"After the resumption of normalcy, Hong Kong experienced cycles of active periods of COVID-19 every six to nine months. Taking into account local and global epidemiological data in recent years, the CHP believes that COVID-19 has evolved into an endemic disease with a cyclical pattern. According to the CHP's analysis, the active periods are associated with the changes in the predominant circulating strains and a decline in herd immunity in Hong Kong.Since late March 2025, the local predominant strains have changed from KP.2 and KP.3 to NB.1.8.1. The latest surveillance data indicates that NB.1.8.1 and LP.8.1 are currently the co-circulating strains in the local community. Currently, the approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against NB.1.8.1 and LP.8.1. There is no evidence suggesting that NB.1.8.1 or LP.8.1 would cause a more severe disease. Nevertheless, the continuous evolving nature of the virus should not be taken lightly. The CHP will continue to closely monitor the situation regarding variant strains, in line with the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations, guarding against the possible emergence of more virulent or vaccine-mismatched strains of the virus," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.

Under the currentGovernment's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, individuals aged 6 months or above are eligible for free initial vaccine doses. High-risk priority groups can receive booster doses for free at least six months after the last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later), regardless of the number of doses received previously.​High-risk priority groups include:

older adults aged 50 or above, including those living in residential care homes;

persons aged 18 to 49 years with underlying comorbidities;

persons with immunocompromising conditions aged 6 months and above;

pregnant women; and

healthcare workers.

The WHO and the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (Joint Scientific Committees) under the CHP earlier recommended either the JN.1 vaccine or the LP.8.1 vaccine as the vaccine choice in 2026. Given that the stock of JN.1 vaccines currently provided to toddlers is about to be exhausted, the Government has procured approximately 4 500 doses of Spikevax LP.8.1 vaccine for toddlers and children.

Eligible persons may continue to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment via the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme booking system. Starting from 9am on December 18, toddlers and children aged 6 months to 11 years who schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments via the booking system will be arranged to receive the LP.8.1 vaccine.

Toddlers and children may receive the COVID-19 vaccination at designated Maternal and Child Health Centres or Student Health Service Centres under the DH, Hong Kong Children's Hospital or designated Private Clinic COVID-19 Vaccination Station. Details are available on thewebpage.

The Government will continue assisting elderly people aged 60 or above living in the community to make COVID-19 vaccination bookings online. Relevant arrangements are outlined in an earlier press release.

As persons who contract influenza and COVID-19 at the same time are at a higher risk of severe complications and death, the CHP strongly recommends that high-risk individuals receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) and COVID-19 vaccination booster to reduce the risk of serious illness and death. The WHO has also pointed out that high-risk individuals should receive booster doses at appropriate times to mitigate the risk of serious illness and death.

For citizens who have not yet received SIV while receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, they can check with vaccination venues for arrangements for influenza vaccination. According to scientific evidence, COVID-19 vaccines and seasonal influenza vaccines can be administered at the same time to provide dual protection.

Members of the public may visit the CHP'sCOVID-19 Vaccination Programmeandseasonal influenzawebpage for more details.

Source: AI-found images

Mai Po Inner Deep Bay in Hong Kong and Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve in Shanghai established as sister wetlands

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the conservation of migratory waterbirds signed between the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Shanghai Municipal Forestry Bureau came into effect on December 9. The MOU marks the official establishment of the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site in Hong Kong and the Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve in Shanghai as sister wetlands under the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Flyway Site Network.

Both the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site and the Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve are wetlands of international importance designated under the Convention on Wetlands. Located within the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF), the two wetlands serve as critical feeding and roosting habitats for waterbirds migrating along this flyway each year.

The MOU was signed by the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai, and Deputy Director of Shanghai Municipal Forestry Bureau Ms Xiong Jian and witnessed by representatives from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA) and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government.

The Deputy Director-General of the NFGA Mr Li Yunqing stated the Shanghai Dongtan and Hong Kong Mai Po, both located at critical nodes along the EAAF, have long served as vital ecological stopovers and energy replenishment stations. The successful union of the two protected areas as sister sites is a practical action by Shanghai and Hong Kong in actively fulfilling international environmental conventions and deeply engaging in terms of global ecological governance. This collaboration sets a good example for co-operative conservation efforts across the entire flyway.

Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government Mr Wang Wei-ren said that the partnership between these two major protected areas as sister sites is a practical step in deepening co-operation between Shanghai and Hong Kong in the field of ecological and environmental protection. Both sides look forward to using this platform to more effectively address common challenges in migratory bird conservation, enhance the integrity and connectivity of wetland ecosystems, and jointly protect this precious lifeline.

Mr Lai pointed out through the MOU, both Shanghai and Hong Kong will leverage their respective strengths, actively strengthen exchanges on wetland conservation, promote the core concept of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, and jointly contribute to ecological conservation efforts at the national and global levels.

Areas of co-operation between the two sides include key fields such as migratory waterbird research, co-ordinated habitat management, and public awareness and education.

Mai Po Inner Deep Bay in Hong Kong and Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve in Shanghai established as sister wetlands Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mai Po Inner Deep Bay in Hong Kong and Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve in Shanghai established as sister wetlands Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mai Po Inner Deep Bay in Hong Kong and Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve in Shanghai established as sister wetlands Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mai Po Inner Deep Bay in Hong Kong and Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve in Shanghai established as sister wetlands Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases