Latest COVID-19 vaccination arrangements announced
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (February 24) that starting from March 1, the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will administer booster to eligible persons according to the updated recommendations for high-risk priority groups. Additionally, from the same date, the Government will offer LP.8.1 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (LP.8.1 vaccine) to eligible persons aged 12 or above, replacing the JN.1 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (JN.1 vaccine) currently in use. The CHP urged members of the public who have not completed the initial dose(s) of the COVID-19 vaccine (including infants and children) to get vaccinated promptly. Those at high risk should receive a booster dose as soon as possible to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.
High-risk priority groups
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The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (JSC) under the CHP earlier discussed and updated the booster vaccination recommendation for high-risk priority groups in 2026. Starting from March 1, the Government will offer COVID-19 vaccine to relevant high-risk priority groups based on the recommendations, including:
- residents of residential care homes for the elderly;
- elderly persons aged 65 years or above who are living in the community;
- persons aged 50 to 64 years with underlying comorbidities;
- persons with immunocompromising conditions aged sixmonths or above; and
- pregnant women.
In addition, the JSC encouraged healthcare workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for their personal protection. Hence, the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will continue to provide free COVID-19 vaccine for healthcare workers.
Those who do not belong to the high-risk priority groups recommended for booster vaccination (such as individuals aged 18 to 49 with chronic illnesses and healthy individuals aged 50 to 64) and would like to receive a booster dose may consult their family doctor about registered COVID-19 vaccines available in the private market, and consider to receive vaccination at their own expense for personal protection.
Choice of COVID-19 vaccine
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In light of the JSC's earlier recommendation to choose either the JN.1 vaccine or the LP.8.1 vaccine, the Government has provided LP.8.1 vaccines to infants and children aged six months to 11 years since December last year. The Government has now procured Spikevax LP.8.1 vaccines for individuals aged 12 and above, and vaccinations for eligible individuals will begin on March 1. The Government will continue to help elderly people aged 60 or above living in the community make online appointments for COVID-19 vaccination. More information can be found in an earlier press release.
Potential upsurge in COVID-19 activity is expected in coming months
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Although COVID-19 activity currently remains at a low level, there are generally periodic upsurges in the COVID-19 activity level approximately every six to nine months. As it has been over seven months since the end of last periodic upsurge of COVID-19 activity, there may be another periodic upsurge in Hong Kong in the next few months. Members of the public should receive a COVID-19 vaccine in a timely manner to reduce the risk of serious illness and death due to COVID-19. Under the current Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, individuals aged six months or above are eligible for free initial vaccine doses. 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.
When members of the public receive the COVID-19 vaccine, if they have not yet received the seasonal influenza 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's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and Seasonal Influenza Vaccination webpage for more details.
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