Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases issues recommendations on seasonal influenza vaccinations for 2026-27 season
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 1) announced that its Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (SCVPD) held a meeting earlier this week. After reviewing the latest scientific evidence, local and global epidemiological data, the latest recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and overseas practices, the SCVPD issued recommendations regarding the seasonal influenza vaccines and priority groups for seasonal influenza vaccinations (SIV) in Hong Kong during the 2026-27 influenza season.
The SCVPD recommended that the priority groups for SIV during the 2026-27 influenza season remain the same as in the previous season (2025-26), including health care workers, persons aged 50 years or above, pregnant women, residents of residential care homes, persons with chronic medical problems, children and adolescents aged 6 months to under 18 years, poultry workers, as well as pig farmers and pig-slaughtering industry personnel.
Regarding vaccine types, the SCVPD recommended that all locally registered trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines can be used during the 2026-27 influenza season, comprising the inactivated influenza vaccine, the live attenuated influenza vaccine (i.e. nasal vaccine) and the recombinant influenza vaccine. Moreover, the composition of the influenza virus strains to be used during the 2026-27 influenza season should align with the WHO's recommendations for the 2026-27 Northern Hemisphere influenza season.
Regarding the timing of vaccinations, the SCVPD recommended that the public receive SIV before the onset of the main influenza season. Based on local historical data, influenza activity generally remained at a relatively high level from January to April each year. Another peak of influenza activity also occurred around July or August in some years. Since vaccine manufacturers must wait for the WHO to announce its recommendations on virus strains for the Northern Hemisphere seasonal influenza vaccines in February or March each year before beginning production, the SCVPD considered that October or November is the most optimal time for vaccination.
Additionally, the SCVPD emphasised that establishing a comprehensive vaccination data system is crucial for assessing vaccination coverage and effectiveness among different population groups. Currently, the Government lacks comprehensive data on influenza vaccinations administered in the private sector at the public's own expense. The SCVPD recommended that the eHealth System (eHealth) be effectively utilised in the future. All healthcare professionals are encouraged to promptly update patients' vaccination records through eHealth to enable comprehensive integration of data on vaccinations administered to the public in both public and private healthcare institutions. This will help monitor vaccination rates and support public health management.
"The CHP conducted an in-depth analysis of the relationship between influenza-related serious complications and influenza vaccination during the 2025 summer influenza season. The data showed that the rate of severe complications or death after contracting seasonal influenza among children who did not receive the 2025-26 SIV was about five times that of vaccinated children. Similarly, the rate of severe complications among residents aged 65 years or above of residential care homes who did not receive the 2025-26 SIV was about four times that of vaccinated residents. These local data clearly demonstrate that SIV is the most effective way to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications. SIV can also reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death after infection. At the meeting, the experts reviewed the CHP's analysis and agreed that the data underscored the critical role of SIV in preventing serious complications and death," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
"All members of the public, in particular young children and older adults, should receive SIV annually for personal protection, unless they have known contraindications," he added.
Thanks to the joint efforts of all sectors of society, including the Government, the medical sector, schools, parents and institutions, as of March 29, over 2.01 million doses of vaccines had been administered under various SIV programmes in the year 2025-26. The coverage rates for the relevant target groups remain comparable to the same period last season. For the 2026-27 SIV programmes, the Government will continue to make every effort to assist the high-risk groups, especially infants, schoolchildren, those with underlying illnesses and the elderly, in receiving SIV.
Details of the SCVPD recommendations are available on the CHP website.
Source: AI-created image
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 21) released the fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 12 survey areas, as follows:
District |
Survey Area |
May 2026 |
First Phase Gravidtrap Index |
First Phase Density Index |
Eastern |
Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho |
9.1% |
1.4 |
Islands |
Tung Chung |
2.0% |
1.0 |
Kowloon City |
Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan |
6.7% |
1.5 |
Tai Po |
Tai Po East |
2.2% |
2.0 |
Tai Po West |
15.5% |
1.0 |
Tuen Mun |
Tuen Mun South |
9.1% |
1.4 |
District |
Survey Area |
May 2026 |
Area Gravidtrap Index |
Area Density Index |
Central and Western |
Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui |
16.8% |
1.3 |
Eastern |
Chai Wan |
15.4% |
1.0 |
North Point and Quarry Bay |
18.9% |
1.4 |
Southern |
Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau |
20.8% |
1.7 |
Sha Tin |
Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan |
18.3% |
1.4 |
Tsuen Wan |
Tsuen Wan Town |
6.9% |
2.3 |
The fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May includes First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas. Among which, six survey areas recorded gravidtrap indexes above 10 per cent, while Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District recorded a gravidtrap index above 20 per cent. Meanwhile, the gravidtrap indexes of six survey areas, namely Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui in Central and Western District; North Point and Quarry Bay in Eastern District; Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District; Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District; Tai Po East in Tai Po District; and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, have recorded a decrease as compared to the indexes recorded in the last survey period, reflecting the progress of relevant mosquito control work.
With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. The average temperature and rainfall recorded in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. With the increase in rainfall in May, the gravidtrap indexes are expected to rise further.
For survey areas which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. The FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against the relevant construction site contractors following the discovery of mosquito breeding at construction sites in Tai Po District and Southern District. Moreover, following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in a park, a construction site, a private housing estate, a clinic and a private premises in Tai Po District, Central and Western District, as well as Southern District, the FEHD has issued five statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD, the relevant departments and stakeholders are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.
Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:
tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;
remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;
properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and
scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.
Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
