Youth Development Commission convenes 22nd meeting
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, chaired the 22nd meeting of the Youth Development Commission (YDC) today (August 27).
At the meeting, members were briefed on the work and progress of the six Action Groups set up under the YDC. Furthermore, the Labour Department introduced various measures to promote youth employment. These included the Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme (GBA YES), the Youth Employment and Training Programme (YETP) and the Youth Employment Start. Various enhancement measures have been put in place in recent years, such as relaxing the age limit for participants to 29 or below, increasing the allowances provided for enterprises as well as the attachment training allowances for trainees, and launching the GBA Work Experience Attachment Programme to enable young people to gain a better understanding of the development opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and broaden their career prospects.
Mr Chan said, "The Government has been adopting a multipronged approach to support youth employment, and the various enhancement measures have yielded tangible progress. Among others, the number of job vacancies and employed young people in the GBA YES last year increased by 24.5 per cent and 45.6per cent respectively, while the number of trainees applying to the YETP in the programme year 2025/26 represented an increase of 23 per centcompared with the same period in the previous year. We will continue to closely monitor the changes in the economic environment and the labour market, and timely review and enhance the various support measures. At the same time, we will strengthen collaboration among policy bureaux to broaden career development opportunities for young people, with a view to helping them unleash their potential and achieve their aspirations, while injecting a steady stream of vitality into Hong Kong's long-term development."
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki (ninth right), chaired the 22nd meeting of the Youth Development Commission at the Central Government Offices today (August 27). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki (centre), chaired the 22nd meeting of the Youth Development Commission at the Central Government Offices today (August 27). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Child previously reported as severe case of paediatric influenza infection passes away
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that a 14-month-old girl infected with influenza A passed away earlier today (November 13). The CHP announced the case as a severe case of influenza A infection on October 29.
This is the third fatal case of paediatric influenza infection in Hong Kong this year. Hong Kong entered the influenza season in late June this year, and the influenza season has lasted for more than four months by now. The latest surveillance data showed that the overall influenza activity has declined but remains above baseline levels. A cumulative total of 29 cases of severe paediatric influenza infection have been recorded in the current influenza season. Among these cases, 22 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital, two are in stable condition, two are in critical condition, and three have passed away. The Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, reminded members of the public that Hong Kong is still in the midst of the influenza season. Although overall influenza activity has shown a downward trend over the past few weeks, it remains above baseline levels. Data from the previous year revealed that the rate of severe complications or death among unvaccinated children following influenza infection was approximately five times higher than that among vaccinated children. The CHP urged all individuals aged six months or older, except those with known contraindications, to promptly receive the seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) if they have not yet done so.
This year's SIV Programmes have been underway for about two months. Currently, there is an adequate supply of vaccines in both the public and private healthcare sectors, providing free or subsidised SIV to eligible individuals. To facilitate members of the public in receiving SIV, eligible persons may receive SIV at about 270 public service points, including around 110 designated clinics under the DH located in various districts across the territory (including all 29 Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) for all children aged 6 months to under 2 years); 76 Family Medicine Clinics and 38 public hospitals under the Hospital Authority; and 45 District Health Centres, District Health Centre Expresses and their service points under the Primary Healthcare Commission. For the list of vaccination venues, please refer to the CHP's SIV Programmes webpage. Parents/guardians of eligible children may also book a vaccination appointment for their children at designated MCHCs via the online booking system.
Furthermore, over 1 900 private doctors currently participate in the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS), providing services at over 3 200 service points across all districts in Hong Kong. For the list of VSS doctors, please visit apps.hcv.gov.hk/public/en/SPS/Search.
Dr Tsui reminded members of the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene. High-risk individuals, such as children, the elderly, and those with underlying illnesses or persons who are immunocompromised, should wear a surgical mask when using public transport or staying in crowded places. The health condition of children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly. Parents must pay close attention to their condition, and visit an accident and emergency department immediately if the child's condition deteriorates with symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions.
Source: AI-found images
