Nearly 80 per cent of adult Hongkongers have not received vaccine against pneumococcus, online survey finds
- Pneumococcal infection is one of main causes of pneumonia, second leading cause of death in Hong Kong
- Poll results released by four medical societies found 25 per cent were willing to get vaccinated
Nearly 80 per cent of adult Hongkongers have not received the vaccine against pneumococcus, a study has found, with experts expressing concern the group could be unprotected from a potential surge of infections.
Four medical societies on Monday released the findings of an online survey, which polled 3,600 residents aged 18 or above in early March, finding that 77 per cent of respondents had not been vaccinated against pneumococcal infections. A quarter of respondents were willing to get jabs.
Dr Mike Kwan Yat-wah, a consultant at Princess Margaret Hospital’s paediatric infectious diseases unit, said he had not seen a rise in pneumococcal infections recently. However, it could emerge soon amid the flu season.
“Now we see that the number of flu cases has been increasing, so I am worried that secondary infections involving this bacteria can become common as well,” he told a press briefing.
He explained that because flu infections could weaken the immune system, patients could become more susceptible to other viruses and bacteria.
Kwan said children, especially toddlers, were unable to develop immunity against the bacteria owing to wearing masks during the Covid-19 pandemic. He urged parents to get them vaccinated.
He said he had, in recent months, observed more children coming down with Covid-19 and other viruses or bacteria, such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, strep A and pneumococcus at the same time, adding that their symptoms were more severe.