Plan Details
Vaccine : Inactivated Influenza Vaccine
Route of Administration : Intramuscular Injection
Composition : Contains inactivated(killed) influenza viruses
Doses in Routine Series : 1 dose
Vaccination Schedule:
- Age 9 or above: Receive 1 dose
- Under age 9 (previously vaccinated): Receive 1 dose
- Under age 9 (first vaccination): Receive 2 doses (at least 4 weeks apart)
Precautions for Inactivated influenza vaccines (LAIV):
Eligible groups to receive subsidised seasonal influenza vaccination:
- Healthcare Workers
- Persons of Age 50 Years or Above
- Pregnant Women
- Residents of Residential Care Homes (for the Elderly or Persons with Disabilities)
- Persons with High-Risk Conditions
- Children of Age Below 18 Years / Secondary School Students
- Workers in Poultry, Pig Farming and Pig Slaughtering Industry
- Persons with Intellectual Disability
- Recipients of Disability Allowance / standard rate of “100% disabled” or “requiring constant attendance” under CSSA
Persons with egg allergy:
- Generally safe to receive vaccination
- Mild allergy : can get vaccinated in primary care setting
- Severe allergy : Should have vaccination administered by healthcare professionals in appropriate medical facilities with capacity to recognise and manage severe allergic reactions.
- If an individual suffers from fever on the day of vaccination, vaccination should be deferred till recovery.
Possible Side Effects
- Local reactions : Pain, Redness and swelling
- Other symptoms : Fever, Tiredness, Muscle Pain
Side effects of SIV are generally mild and temporary. If you experience persistent fever, severe allergic reactions (e.g. difficulty in breathing, swelling of the lip or tongue, hives,etc.) or other adverse events after receiving SIV, please consult a doctor immediately.
Points to note before vaccination appointment:
- Please bring the immunization record (i.e. injection card) and travel documents (i.e. travel pass/passport). If you do not have the injection card, you will not be able to get the vaccine for children.
- All vaccination services need to be booked in advance. For vaccines with multiple doses paid at a time, please make appointment for subsequent vaccination when you get the first doses.
- Please ensure that you have no severe hypersensitivity to the vaccine. (Persons who have egg allergy cannot have flu vaccine and MMRV vaccine, have yeast allergy cannot have Gardasil 9 HPV Vaccine). Please make prior declaration if you have previous known history of any hypersensitivity, and doctor will assess whether you can make appointment for vaccination.
- On the day of vaccination, please ensure that you have no fever. (Those who name a body temperature exceeding 37.5 degrees are not eligible for vaccination).
- Children’s vaccines require professionals to evaluate. Patients are advised to take a photo of the injection card and send it to the clinic beforehand.
- Clinic accepts credit cards and UnionPay etc, and without additional handling fees.
What is the recommended composition of the 2024-25 seasonal influenza vaccine?
The egg-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine recommended by the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (SCVPD) for the 2024-25 season contain the following:
- A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
- A/Thailand/8/2022(H3N2)-like virus
- B/Austria/1359417/2021(B/Victoria lineage)-like virus
- B/Phuket/3073/2013(B/wild type)-like virus
1. What is Seasonal Influenza?
Seasonal influenza is an acute illness of the respiratory tract caused by influenza viruses. It is usually more common in periods from January to March/April and from July to August in Hong Kong.
2. What are the symptoms if I have got seasonal influenza?
For healthy individuals, seasonal influenza is usually self-limiting with recovery in 2 – 7 days. Symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle pain, fatigue and headache; some may also have vomiting and diarrhoea. Cough is often severe and prolonged but fever and other symptoms generally resolve in 5 – 7 days. However, influenza can be a serious illness to the weak and frail or elderly people, and may be complicated by bronchitis, chest infection or even death.
3. What should I do if I develop respiratory symptoms?
You should put on a surgical mask if you develop respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle pain, fatigue and headache; and should have adequate rest, drink plenty of water, refrain from work or attending class at school. You should seek medical advice if symptoms persist or deteriorate so that a diagnosis could be made early. Antibiotics, which target bacterial infection but not viral infection, will not cure influenza or make recovery faster. In addition, antiviral agents may reduce severity and duration of illness but must be used under doctor's prescription.
Source: Centre for Health Protection
