WHO's World Immunisation Week: Hong Kong Promotes Timely Vaccination to Combat Preventable Diseases

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

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming passenger was sentenced to four months' imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (April 22) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted a 26-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (April 21) and seized 49 200 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of $221,400 and a duty potential of about $162,600 from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases