Hong Kong set to change measles vaccine policy so children get second injection at earlier age amid rise in infections
- From next year, children aged 18 months will receive second jab instead of having to wait until they are six years old under existing policy
- Department of Health confirms four more cases of the disease, taking this year’s total to 30
Hong Kong is set to change its vaccination policy for measles, with children receiving a second injection against the contagious disease at a younger age amid a continuous rise in infections.
From next year, children aged 18 months will receive the second jab instead of having to wait until they are six years old under the existing policy.
Secretary for Food and Health Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee also revealed at the Legislative Council on Wednesday that about 30,000 doses of the vaccine would arrive in Hong Kong next month. The Airport Authority would also step up its vaccination service for airport staff.
Chan’s announcement came as the Department of Health confirmed four more cases of measles, taking this year’s total to 30.
The four cases included two from the airport – a 31-year-old man working at the MTR’s Airport Station, and a 21-year-old woman working at the McCafe in Terminal 1. By Wednesday, a total of 11 cases involved airport and airline personnel.