Public urged to receive COVID-19 vaccination in a timely manner as disease becomes endemic in Hong Kong
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 2) reminded the public that COVID-19 has become an endemic disease in Hong Kong, with its activity levels fluctuating. Individuals should follow expert recommendations and receive their initial doses or booster doses in a timely manner, based on their personal risk factors and the time when they received their last dose, in order to minimise the risk of severe disease and death. The shelf life of the vaccines provided under the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is going to expire. A new batch of vaccines will arrive in Hong Kong successively in the fourth quarter of 2026. During this transition period, eligible individuals will not be able to receive free COVID-19 vaccines through the Programme for a short period. Those in need are advised to make appointments as early as possible.
Currently, the LP.8.1 vaccine provided under the Programme for children and adults will expire in mid-July and early September this year respectively. Existing vaccination services will continue until the following dates:
* Individuals aged 6 months to 11 years: Vaccination services will be available until July 10, 2026.
* Individuals aged 12 or above: Vaccination services will be available until September 5, 2026.
"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. These are related to changes in predominant circulating variants and a decline in community herd immunity. Nearly a year has passed since the end of the last periodic upsurge of COVID-19 activity, and the CHP does not rule out the possibility that the overall COVID-19 activity may increase. Late last year, the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (JSC) under the CHP updated their consensus recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines.Given that the Government's supply of COVID-19 vaccines will be temporarily suspended for a short period, I urge eligible individuals who require the vaccine to book an appointment as soon as possible and complete their vaccination before the aforementioned dates. Vaccination services under the Programme will resume in an orderly manner in the fourth quarter this year. Details will be announced in due course," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
According to the JSC's latest recommendations, children aged 6 months to 4 years without prior COVID-19 infection should receivetwo doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for completion of initial doses, with an interval of at least 28 days between doses. To ensure completion of vaccination before vaccine expiry, children who require the vaccine are encouraged to receive the first dose on or before June 12, 2026. Children aged 5 years or above (regardless of history of infection) and children aged 6 months to 4 years with prior COVID-19 infection require only one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for completion of the initial dose.
Priority groups include residents of residential care homes for the elderly; elderly personsaged 65 years or above who are living in the community; persons aged 50 to 64 years with underlying comorbidities; persons with immunocompromising conditions aged 6 months or above; pregnant women; and healthcare workers. A booster dose is recommended to be given at least six months after the last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later), regardless of the number of doses received previously.
Eligible individuals may schedule an appointment via the Government's online booking platform to receive COVID-19 vaccination from Private Clinic COVID-19 Vaccination Stations, designated clinics under the DH or the Hospital Authority. For details, please refer to the webpage.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP), Photo source: reference image
Hong Kong cinema in spotlight at 25th New York Asian Film Festival
Hong Kong cinema is the undisputed star at this year's 25th New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), where a record 17 films will be screened under the "Hong Kong Panorama" banner, presented with the support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) from July 10 to 26 (New York time).
The centrepiece event was the presentation of the NYAFF's Best from the East Award to actor Daniel Wu on July 20 (New York time), ahead of the special screening of "Cold War 1994", honouring a career that began in Hong Kong cinema before extending into Hollywood, television and the director's chair, and bringing with him the discipline, physicality and storytelling instinct for which Hong Kong film is known.
The New York ETO hosted a special reception for Wu and other attending Hong Kong film talents before the award presentation. Speaking at the reception, Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, congratulated Wu for his contributions to Asian cinema and bringing Hong Kong storytelling sensibility through his work across film and television globally.
Ms Ho also highlighted the deep ties between Hong Kong cinema and the NYAFF, noting that Hong Kong films have been a part of the festival's identity since its earliest editions. The New York ETO has supported the festival's "Hong Kong Panorama" since 2009, introducing New York audiences to the actors, directors and screenwriters shaping Hong Kong cinema.
This year's Hong Kong Panorama builds on that legacy, showcasing five North American premieres, alongside numerous special screenings and events, with a number of Hong Kong film talents attending the festival. Ms Ho said the expanded lineup reflects both the creative vitality of Hong Kong's film industry and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's continued commitment to supporting that industry on the world stage.
Several of this year's films received support and funding from the HKSAR Government, including "Afterpiece" (financed through the Directors' Succession Scheme that pairs seasoned filmmakers with emerging directors), "Bird of Paradise" (a winning film project in the higher education institution group of the 7th First Feature Film Initiative (FFFI)), "Dog Day Evening" (financed by the Film Production Financing Scheme (Relaxation Plan)), and "Gamer Girls" (winning film project in the Higher Education Institution Group of the 6th FFFI).
Hong Kong actress Angela Yuen will receive the NYAFF's Screen International Rising Star Asia Award on July 21 (New York time), underscoring Hong Kong's strong pipeline of talent with international reach. Ms Ho congratulated Yuen for her outstanding performances on screen and on seeing her hard work and talent celebrated in New York.
This year's NYAFF's 2026 Filmmaker in Focus took audiences inside one of the most influential careers in Hong Kong cinema – the prolific and versatile director, Andrew Lau, who reflected on the craft, innovation and lasting impact of his incredible library of works, including NYAFF 2026 featured films "The Storm Riders", "Initial D" and his acclaimed new feature, "The Dumpling Queen".
In addition to Lau, Wu and Yuen, other Hong Kong filmmakers attending this year's NYAFF include actor Yukki Tai; actress Ng Wing-sze; screenwriter Annabelle Li; and directors Veronica Bassetto; Frankie Chung; Pang Ho-cheung, Keane T. K. Wong; Joey Wu; and Phillip Yung.
Hong Kong cinema in spotlight at 25th New York Asian Film Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong cinema in spotlight at 25th New York Asian Film Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong cinema in spotlight at 25th New York Asian Film Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong cinema in spotlight at 25th New York Asian Film Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong cinema in spotlight at 25th New York Asian Film Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong cinema in spotlight at 25th New York Asian Film Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong cinema in spotlight at 25th New York Asian Film Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Source: AI-found images
