In support of WHO's World Immunisation Week, DH urges public to get vaccinated on time to protect their health
In support of the World Health Organization's World Immunisation Week, which takes place during the last week of April (April 24 to 30), the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (April 22) reminded the public to get vaccinated on time to reduce the serious health threats posed by vaccine-preventable diseases. The theme this year is "For every generation, vaccines work". Hong Kong has provided childhood vaccinations since the 1950s. Thanks to strong support from parents, schools and the healthcare sector, Hong Kong's vaccination coverage has consistently remained at a very high level, keeping most vaccine-preventable diseases under control. Hong Kong eradicated smallpox and poliomyelitis in 1980 and 2000 respectively, and successfully eliminated measles and rubella (German measles) in 2016 and 2021 respectively.
"Immunisation is widely recognised as one of the most successful, safe and cost-effective public health interventions, protecting millions of lives worldwide each year from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, such as measles, hepatitis B and certain cancers (including liver and cervical cancer). In order to build on past successes and effectively control vaccine-preventable diseases, it is crucial that every generation works together to get vaccinated in a timely manner, as recommended by the CHP. However, in recent years, some voices opposing vaccination have emerged in society. They mistakenly believe that vaccine-preventable diseases are already under control and therefore vaccination is no longer necessary. Some even spread unscientific claims such as 'vaccines are unsafe'. In recent years, low vaccination coverage has led to measles outbreaks in many parts of the world, including in some countries that had previously achieved measles elimination. This should serve as a wake-up call, reminding us that we must maintain high overall vaccination rates to ensure herd immunity," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui said.
The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (SCVPD) under the CHP makes recommendations on vaccines for different groups (e.g. children, pregnant women, the elderly, etc) based on local epidemiology and the latest scientific evidence from a public health perspective. With reference to the recommendations of the SCVPD, the Government provides different types of vaccines and boosters for children from birth to Primary Six to protect them from 12 communicable diseases, as well as other vaccination services, such as seasonal influenza vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, and the COVID-19 vaccines for people in high-risk groups to boost their immunity and reduce the risk of infection or severe complications.
"Delaying vaccination reduces protection against relevant communicable diseases. Parents should arrange for their children to receive immunisations on schedule to ensure comprehensive and timely protection. New immigrants to Hong Kong, as well as those coming to study or work here, should complete any necessary catch-up vaccinations before arrival if they are unsure of their immunisation status, have not completed their vaccination series, or have unclear vaccination records. Additionally, members of the public planning to travel to areas experiencing outbreaks or high incidence rates of vaccine-preventable diseases should first confirm that they have completed the relevant vaccinations. Anyone who has not completed their immunisation or with an unknown vaccination history should consult their family doctor at least two weeks before travelling. Individuals returning to Hong Kong from areas experiencing outbreaks or high incidence rates of vaccine-preventable diseases should inform healthcare personnel of their symptoms and travel history, so that appropriate infection control measures can be implemented at the healthcare facilities to prevent any potential transmission," said Dr Tsui.
For more information on World Immunisation Week and theHong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme, please visit the relevant DH websites.
Source: AI-found images
First ever Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation hosted in Saudi Arabia, bridging two cultures and cinematic worlds
The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation made its historic debut in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, from June 12 to 14, introducing contemporary Hong Kong cinema to local audiences for the first time.
Presented by the Asian Film Awards Academy, with support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (HKETO Dubai), the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, and the Film Development Fund, the inaugural Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation – Saudi Arabia took place at a leading cinema chain in the Saudi capital. The programme featured four new films from Hong Kong filmmakers, showcasing a diverse range of genres – from action thrillers and suspenseful dramas to deeply compelling human stories.
Nearly 200 guests attended the opening reception to interact with Directors Njo Kui-ying ("Road to Vendetta") and Chou Man-yu ("Behind the Shadows") who traveled to Riyadh to join the landmark occasion. Other distinguished guests included the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr Chang Hua; senior representatives from local government and regulatory bodies, including the Saudi Film Commission and the General Authority for Media Regulation; as well as members of the local business and cultural communities. The festival debut of opening film "Road to Vendetta", also its Middle East premiere, was screened to a full house with enthusiastic response.
To enable better audience understanding about Hong Kong cinema, post-screening sharing sessions were held with Directors Njo and Chou, who discussed the inspirations and creative processes behind their works. Additional films featured in the festival included "Ciao UFO" and "Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert".
Speaking at the opening reception, Director-General of HKETO Dubai, Mr Simon Chan, highlighted Saudi Arabia's remarkable cinematic renaissance and thriving creative industries driven by Vision 2030. He further noted that as the current official representation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in the Middle East region, HKETO Dubai has been actively working to promote diverse exchanges and liaison between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia across multiple sectors, including business, cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
"The Government is committed to promoting the development of arts, culture and creative industries, with over $9 billion in total injected into the CreateSmart Initiative and the Film Development Fund. The Government also actively supports the development of our local film industry through funding schemes and industry activities for deepening cultural exchange and expanding markets. We are hopeful that hosting the inaugural Hong Kong film festival in Saudi Arabia will allow more local audiences to experience Hong Kong cinema, and strengthen cultural connections between Hong Kong and Middle East audiences and filmmakers in the industry," Mr Chan said.
HKETO Dubai will continue to support Hong Kong's cultural and creative industries by fostering cross-regional exchanges and creating new opportunities through collaboration with stakeholders in the Middle East region.
First ever Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation hosted in Saudi Arabia, bridging two cultures and cinematic worlds Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
First ever Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation hosted in Saudi Arabia, bridging two cultures and cinematic worlds Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
First ever Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation hosted in Saudi Arabia, bridging two cultures and cinematic worlds Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
First ever Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation hosted in Saudi Arabia, bridging two cultures and cinematic worlds Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
First ever Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation hosted in Saudi Arabia, bridging two cultures and cinematic worlds Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
First ever Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation hosted in Saudi Arabia, bridging two cultures and cinematic worlds Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
First ever Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation hosted in Saudi Arabia, bridging two cultures and cinematic worlds Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
