Hong Kong enters flu season with first severe case as 4-year-old is admitted to ICU

11th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) Hong Kong has officially entered the flu season, and Professor Lo Chung-mau, the Secretary for Health, announced this morning during an interview on a radio programme hat the first severe case involving a child has been reported. The patient is a four-year-old boy who is currently in intensive care, simultaneously infected with both influenza and pneumococcal bacteria. Notably, he has not received a vaccination, and his school did not offer any vaccination services.

Professor Lo highlighted that the latest figures for flu-related respiratory samples and hospital admissions have surpassed baseline levels, indicating that the winter flu season is in full swing. He reiterated that the child in question is receiving treatment in intensive care and did not have access to vaccination services at his school.

According to Professor Lo, approximately 90% of kindergartens and primary schools are participating in the flu vaccination outreach programme. However, some schools have opted out. The Health Department has repeatedly urged these institutions to take responsibility for health education and to arrange vaccinations for their students. If schools do not participate, it is essential for parents to ensure their children receive the flu vaccine.

The Health Department previously released a list of 168 schools that have refused to participate in the vaccination outreach, which has raised concerns in the educational community regarding the negative implications of such labelling.

Professor Lo acknowledged that schools may have various explanations for their decisions but emphasised that both the education and health sectors share a common goal: to protect children. He believes the emergence of this severe case serves as a wake-up call, urging all parties to work together to meet the challenges posed by the flu season and to seek solutions rather than becoming bogged down by difficulties.

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