Hong Kong set for late start to winter flu season in February, expert says, calling on high-risk groups to get vaccinated immediately
- Professor Ivan Hung says seasonal flu cycle has been disrupted by Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in a delayed start to winter outbreak
- ‘At present, Hong Kong is in the final stage of summer influenza season as the outbreak has been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic,’ he adds
“At present, Hong Kong is in the final stage of summer influenza season as the outbreak has been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he told a radio programme. “The winter influenza outbreak will begin from February to April next year with the flu cycle and coronavirus seasons emerging alternatively every six months.”
Hung, who also serves on the government’s Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases, urged those considered high-risk groups, such as children, the chronically ill and elderly people living in care homes, to get an influenza shot immediately to prepare for the coming winter outbreak.
“We strongly advise these groups of people to get jabbed against the seasonal flu. This is the best preventive measure against infections,” he said.
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau, appearing on a TV programme, said getting vaccinated was the surest way to prevent contracting the seasonal flu or experiencing any resulting complications.
“After getting vaccinated, your immunity against flu infections will be boosted,” he said, adding that getting immunity from a jab was safer than acquiring it through an infection.
