Expert warns flu could be bigger problem in Hong Kong than Covid this winter and appeals for children and elderly to be vaccinated against both
- HKU infectious diseases expert says low flu jab rate and lack of exposure because of Covid restrictions could fuel outbreaks
- Government to launch schools’ flu vaccination drive in kindergartens and primary schools on Thursday
Flu outbreaks in Hong Kong this winter could be a bigger threat than the coronavirus, a government infectious diseases expert has warned.
Professor Ivan Hung Fan-ngai, chief of the infectious diseases division at the University of Hong Kong, on Sunday said that vaccination for children and the elderly against both viruses should be a priority as a surge in flu cases was expected over the next few months.
He explained a low influenza jab rate and an increase in cases of the disease arriving from overseas as the city’s anti-coronavirus restrictions were lifted could pose problems.
Hung said that the population had not been exposed to disease outbreaks that involved upper respiratory tract infections other than Covid-19 over the past two years.
“Once children are in contact with it, they can develop relatively severe symptoms and complications,” he said.
Hung explained the population’s high coronavirus vaccination rate and natural infection levels had already created a higher level of protection against the coronavirus.