DH urges public to get vaccinated after Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programmes commences on September 17 as two cases of severe paediatric influenza infection reported
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said that Hong Kong is currently in the influenza season, and the overall influenza activity has continued to increase and is at a very high level. Also, two more severe paediatric influenza infection cases have been recorded today (September 10). With the 2026/27 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV) Programmes commencing on September 17, the CHP urges members of the public to receive SIVs as soon as possible after the SIV Programmes begin. Parents can also use the Electronic Consent Form (e-consent form) on the eHealth mobile application (eHealth mobile app) to submit consent forms for their children to receive SIV under the SIV Programmes. In addition, the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent influenza and other respiratory illnesses.
Severe paediatric influenza infection cases
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The CHP today recorded two cases of severe paediatric influenza infection, both had not received SIV during the previous season (2025/26).
The first case involves an 11-year-old boy with good past health. He developed a fever, cough and drowsiness on September 9. He was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of Pok Oi Hospital on the same day, and was immediately transferred and admitted to the paediatric ward of Tuen Mun Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of the hospital for further treatment. His respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A (H1) virus. His clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with septic shock and encephalitis. The patient remains hospitalised at the PICU in serious condition. The CHP's preliminary investigation revealed that his household contacts remain asymptomatic.
The second case involves a six-year-old boy with underlying illnesses. He developed a fever and myalgia on September 5, followed by runny nose, sore throat and cough on the following day. He was taken to the AED of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) on September 6 and 7. As his symptoms worsened, he sought medical attention at the AED of QEH again on September 8 and was admitted on the same day. With his condition further deteriorated, he was admitted to the PICU of the hospital for further treatment on September 9. His respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A virus. His clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with severe pneumonia. The patient remains hospitalised at the PICU in serious condition. The CHP's preliminary investigation revealed that one of his household contacts had developed mild fever recently but has now recovered.
"Since the current influenza season started in late June, a cumulative total of 19 cases of severe paediatric influenza infection have been recorded to date. Among these cases, nine patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital, five patients are in stable condition, two are in serious condition, two are in critical condition and one has passed away. Owing to widespread influenza transmission in the community in recent months, the number of infections and severe cases have substantially increased. Moreover, with increased group activities after the start of the new school year, we anticipate that influenza activity will remain at a high level in the coming weeks, whilst influenza outbreaks in schools are expected. Therefore, schools and parents must remain vigilant and take preventive measures," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
Seasonal influenza activity
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According to the latest surveillance data (for the week of August 30 to September 5), the percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for seasonal influenza viruses was 13.05 per cent and the influenza admission rate in public hospitals was 0.83 cases per 10 000 population. Both indicators showed a significant increase from the previous week. The predominant influenza viruses detected were influenza A (H1) (82 per cent), followed by influenza A (H3) (14 per cent).
There has been a significant increase in influenza-like illness (ILI) outbreaks in schools since September. As of September 9, a total of 73 outbreaks have been reported in schools since the start of the school year in September, including 21 cases in kindergartens/child care centres, 38 cases in primary schools and 14 cases in secondary schools, involving a total of 398 people. Separately, ILI outbreaks in residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) rose to 23, involving 134 people.
SIV Programmes
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The 2026/27 SIV Programmes, including the SIV School Outreach Programme, the Residential Care Home Vaccination Programme and the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS), will commence on September 17.
The Government has introduced a new e-consent form feature this year. Parents already registered with eHealth accounts could submit the e-consent forms for their children via the eHealth mobile app starting from August 17. To date, over 90 000 students have submitted the e-consent forms via eHealth. The DH notes that some schools have opted for consent forms in hard copies, while some other schools have yet to distribute school-specific QR codes to parents. The DH urges schools to participate in using the e-consent forms, and distribute the school-specific QR codes to parents as soon as possible, so that parents can complete the consent procedures for their children earlier. In addition, members of the public can submit their e-consent forms via the eHealth mobile app starting from September 17, and get vaccinated afterwards at a private clinic joining the VSS, enabling a paperless experience. This new measure not only facilitates the public to join the SIV Programmes but also streamlines the administrative procedures for healthcare service providers and schools.
"Data analysis shows that the rate of severe complications or death after contracting seasonal influenza was about five times higher among unvaccinated children than among vaccinated children. Similarly, the rate of severe complications among residents aged 65 years or older living in RCHEs who did not receive the SIV last year was approximately four times higher than among vaccinated residents. SIV is undoubtedly one of the most effective ways to prevent serious cases of seasonal influenza and its complications. As it takes two weeks for the body to develop sufficient antibodies after receiving SIV, I urge members of the public to get vaccinated as early as possible," Dr Tsui added.
To prevent respiratory diseases, members of the public should maintain good personal, hand and environmental hygiene at all times. Given the current high levels of respiratory disease activity, high-risk individuals should wear surgical masks when visiting public places. The general public should also wear surgical masks when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. Those with symptoms of a respiratory infection, even if mild, should wear a surgical mask, avoid crowded areas and seek medical advice promptly. If symptomatic individuals live with high-risk or immunocompromised persons, they should also wear a surgical mask at home to minimise the risk of cross-infection. They should also ensure proper ventilation indoors and enhance the cleaning and disinfection of the household environment.
Members of the public may refer to the CHP's COVID-19 & Flu Express, Seasonal Influenza Webpage and Vaccination Schemes for the latest information.
The Centre for Health Protection, Photo source: reference image
