Hong Kong health authorities to test scheme to provide free nasal spray flu vaccines for schoolchildren
- Use of nasal spray may help push up vaccination rate among children as it is easier to administer than conventional flu jabs
- Outreach vaccination scheme in which health officers or partnering private doctors will administer free shots to pupils begins in October
Pupils at some kindergartens and primary schools will be able to receive a free nasal spray vaccine against influenza viruses, rather than the more painful injection, from October, Hong Kong health officials announced on Wednesday.
It is believed the use of a nasal spray will help push up the vaccination rate among children as it is generally easier to administer than conventional flu jabs.
The spray is not suitable for children aged under two, the Centre for Health Protection said. Overseas health authorities said it could be linked to wheezing in children at this age.
Announcing the arrangement on Wednesday, Dr Ada Lin Wai-chi, head of the centre’s Programme Management and Professional Development Branch, said provision of the nasal vaccine was a test.
“In the local setting, there has not been widespread use of the vaccine,” Lin said.
