Hong Kong Health Authorities Urge Vaccination Amid Rising Influenza B and Potential COVID-19 Upsurge

Public reminded to get vaccinated to protect against periodic upsurge of influenza and COVID-19 even though activity levels remain low at present

Although seasonal influenza activity in Hong Kong is currently at a low level, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (April 9) that it cannot be ruled out that influenza activity may fluctuate as many people have returned from outbound travel following the long holiday and the proportion of influenza B among positive respiratory specimens has increased since mid-March, overtaking influenza A (H3) as the predominant circulating seasonal influenza virus in Hong Kong. Moreover, there is a possibility of another periodic upsurge in COVID-19 activity in the coming months. Therefore, the CHP urges those who have not yet received the 2025/26 seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) or the initial dose of COVID-19 vaccine to do so as soon as possible, in order to protect their personal health and reduce the risk of serious complications and death from infection.

Seasonal influenza

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"The CHP's latest surveillance data shows that the percentage of respiratory specimens that tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses last week (March 29 to April 4) was 2.17 per cent, slightly higher than the 2.08 per cent recorded in the previous week (March 22 to 28). During the same period, the influenza admission rate in public hospitals was 0.12 cases per 10 000 population, which was also slightly higher than the 0.11 cases per 10 000 population recorded in the previous week. The proportion of influenza B among positive respiratory specimens has gradually increased from approximately 6 per cent in late January to almost 50 per cent last week, overtaking influenza A (H3) as the predominant circulating strain. In recent months, influenza B has also become the predominant circulating influenza virus strain in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Besides, influenza activity in Guangdong province and Macao dropped to low levels in late February, but has recently shown a fluctuating upward trend," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.

"Although the weather is gradually warming up, the recent long holiday has seen frequent population movements and a large number of people returning from overseas travel. Hence, fluctuations in influenza activity cannot be ruled out. The CHP will closely monitor the situation. Scientific studies show that this season's SIV provides protection against both influenza A and B viruses. I would like to appeal again to everyone aged six months or above, except those with known contraindications, to get SIV as soon as possible if they have not yet done so, particularly high-risk groups such as the elderly, children, and adults with underlying illnesses or immunosuppression. In addition, those who were infected with influenza during the summer influenza season late last year but have not yet been vaccinated should also get vaccinated promptly to prevent other circulating virus strains," Dr Tsui added.

Apart from receiving SIV at public healthcare facilities underthe DH's SIV Programmes, members of the public may also contact their family doctors to arrange for vaccination. Furthermore, over the past two months, the DH has continued to promote and organise community SIV activities in various districts through the District Councils and the District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams), with the aim of raising disease prevention awareness among local residents and the elderly. Last month, multiple District Councils/Care Teams organised 15 community SIV activities across various districts in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories, thereby boosting vaccination coverage in the community, particularly among the elderly living alone.

Dr Tsui added that the CHP will continue to mobilise community resources to encourage and assist more people in receiving the 2025/26 SIV, so as to build a stronger community immunity barrier to safeguard public health.

Periodic upsurge of COVID-19 activity may be looming

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COVID-19 has become an endemic disease with cyclical patterns, exhibiting periodic upsurges in activity level approximately every six to nine months in Hong Kong. The CHP's analysis shows that periodic upsurges are associated with changes in the predominant circulating variants and a decline in herd immunity.

"The overall activity of COVID-19 is currently at a low level. Genetic analysis shows that descendant lineages derived from JN.1, including NB.1.8.1 and XFG, remain the predominant variants circulating locally. The COVID-19 vaccines currently used in Hong Kong are effective in preventing infection and serious complications. Separately, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a newly emerged BA.3.2 variant as one of the "Variants under Monitoring"last December. This variant has been detected in more than 20 countries worldwide, but its activity remains relatively low. The WHO considered that there is no evidence that BA.3.2 causes more severe disease than the currently circulating variants," said Dr Tsui.

He added that, in view of the periodic resurgence of COVID-19, members of the public should receive a COVID-19 vaccine at an appropriate time to reduce the risk of serious complications and death after infection. Under the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, persons aged six months or above may receive initial vaccine doses free of charge, while priority groups may receive booster doses free of charge at least six months after their last vaccine dose or COVID-19 infection, whichever is later, regardless of the number of doses received previously.

Severe COVID-19 cases primarily affect the elderly, children and individuals with underlying illnesses. Scientific data has conclusively proven that the COVID-19 vaccine is effective in minimising the risk of severe disease or death. Members of the public who have not received the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (including infants and children) should get vaccinated timely. Those at high risk should receive a booster dose as soon as possible. For more information on COVID-19 vaccination, please visit COVID-19 Vaccination Programme webpage.

Apart from vaccination, Dr Tsui reminded members of the public to maintain stringent personal, environmental and hand hygiene at all times to minimise the risk of contracting seasonal influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases. When respiratory symptoms appear, one should wear a surgical mask, consider avoiding going to work or school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.

For the latest surveillance data, members of the public can refer to the CHP's weekly COVID-19 & Flu Express. For more information on vaccination, please refer to the COVID-19 Vaccination Programmewebpage.

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Subsidiary legislations relating to regulation of ride-hailing services gazetted today

The Government today (May 26) gazetted four pieces of subsidiary legislation relating to the regulation of ride-hailing services.

The Road Traffic (Ride-hailing Service) Regulation sets out the details of the regulatory regime for ride-hailing services, including the validity period and renewal arrangement for ride-hailing service licences, ride-hailing vehicle permits (vehicle permits) and ride-hailing vehicle driving permits; the fees associated with the aforementioned licences and permits; and the obligations imposed on the holders of such licences and permits. The Road Traffic (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulation 2026 introduces a combined driving test for taxis and ride-hailing vehicles. The Road Traffic (Limit on Number of Ride-hailing Vehicle Permits) Notice specifies the limit on the number of vehicle permits that may be issued. The Road Traffic (Amendment) (Ride-hailing Service) Ordinance 2025 (Commencement) Notice prescribes the commencement dates of the various provisions of the Road Traffic (Amendment) (Ride-hailing Service) Ordinance 2025.

A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, "With the support of different sectors of society, the Road Traffic (Amendment) (Ride-hailing Service) Bill 2025 introduced by the Government was passed by the Legislative Council (LegCo) last October, establishing a clear legal framework for the regulation of ride-hailing services and resolving a long-standing controversy. Following extensive consultation, gathering of operational data from the trade and balancing of various considerations, the Government has further established the regulatory details for ride-hailing services through various pieces of subsidiary legislation, with a view to implementing the regulatory regime.

"With the busy traffic in Hong Kong and nearly 90 per cent of the public relying on the efficient public transportation system for their daily journeys, the Government needs to impose an overall control on the number of ride-hailing vehicles. Based on the data collected from the Transport Department's (TD) survey on the demand for local personalised point-to-point transport services, and having holistically considered all relevant factors and views from various sectors of society, we propose setting the limit on vehicle permits at 10 000 at this stage. We believe this is a prudent, sound and appropriate approach that balances considerations regarding road resources and the public transport ecosystem, allowing the ride-hailing regulatory regime to be implemented smoothly. Following the introduction of the regulatory regime, changes may occur in both passenger demand for ride-hailing services and the operational conditions of ride-hailing vehicles. The Government will closely monitor market developments and the actual operations of the platforms, including licensed platforms' operational data received by the TD, and conduct dynamic assessments to review and adjust as appropriate," the spokesperson added.

"The Government's objective in introducing a regulatory regime for ride-hailing services is to provide the public with more safe, legally compliant and diverse transport options, while ensuring the healthy and orderly development of the point-to-point transport service industry as a whole. This will foster a healthy competitive environment, with a view to bringing new vitality to the industry, attracting more new entrants and encouraging frontline drivers to upgrade and transform, thereby achieving a win-win situation for the public, ride-hailing services and taxis," the spokesperson reiterated.

In May 2026, the Government consulted the Panel on Transport of the LegCo and the Transport Advisory Committee on the regulatory details for ride-hailing services respectively. Members expressed support for the Government's proposals and offered views on regulatory matters.

The Government will table the four pieces of subsidiary legislation mentioned above before the LegCo tomorrow (May 27) for negative vetting. Details of the regulatory regime and the various pieces of subsidiary legislation are set out in the LegCo brief issued by the Government today.

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