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  Vaccines Not Included in the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme Download

Based on the local disease prevalence and the latest evidence, the Scientific Committee on Vaccine-preventable Diseases (SCVPD) under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has made recommendations on the 'Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme'. Children from birth to primary six should receive different vaccines to protect them from nine infectious diseases, namely, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), measles, mumps and rubella. Besides the above vaccines, private doctors may provide other vaccines to protect children from certain infectious diseases. These vaccines include influenza vaccine, chickenpox vaccine, Haemophilus influenza b vaccine, meningococcal vaccine, hepatitis A vaccine, Japanese encephalitis vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine. There are also combined vaccines which contain a combination of various vaccine components, for example, the 'Five in One' combined vaccine contains poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and Haemophilus influenza b vaccine components. Parents should seek advice from doctors before getting their children immunised.
Influenza Vaccine Influenza (Flu) is a viral infection characterized by fever, sore throat, cough, headache and muscle ache. The most common route of infection is through the respiratory tract. It is usually a self-limiting disease with recovery in two to seven days. However, it can be a serious illness to the weak and frail, and may be complicated by bronchitis, pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs), and even death in the most serious cases. Influenza can be caused by different types of viruses, and occurs most commonly around January to March and July to August in Hong Kong. Influenza vaccine is prepared according to the prevalence of strains in the community each year, as recommended by the World Health Organization. Besides, the SCVPD recommends certain high risk groups for influenza vaccination in Hong Kong each year. These target groups include persons with chronic illnesses, elderly persons aged 65 years or above, and children aged 6 to 23 months. Please visit the CHP website for more information: www.chp.gov.hk/index9ed2.html?lang=en
Chickenpox Vaccine Chickenpox is an acute infectious disease in children caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It can be transmitted through direct person-to-person contact and air-borne droplets. It can also be transmitted indirectly from objects freshly soiled by discharges from lesions of an infected person. Chickenpox is a mild disease characterised by low-grade fever and skin rash with formation of vesicles. The infection is usually self-limiting and confers life-long immunity. However, those with low body resistance are most likely to suffer from complications such as skin infection, scarlet fever, pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation of the brains). Chickenpox vaccine can effectively protect against severe diseases. About 90% of persons who receive the vaccine will acquire immunity. Parents should seek advice from doctors before getting their children immunised.
Haemophilus Influenza B Vaccine Haemophilus influenza b infection is a disease caused by bacteria. It is transmitted through direct contact with nose and throat secretions of infected persons. Serious acute infection is more common in children under five years old, and can cause pneumonia and meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brains), and even death. Haemophilus influenza b infection has a relatively lower occurrence in Hong Kong compared with other western countries. Effective vaccine against Haemophilus influenza b infection is available. If parents wish to get their children immunised for individual protection, please consult doctors first. Meningococcal Vaccine Meningococcal infection is a serious illness caused by bacteria. It can be transmitted by direct contact through droplets of respiratory secretions from infected persons. The bacteria can cause septicaemia (a form of blood poisoning), meningitis, and even death. Most of the meningococcal infections reported locally in recent years were caused by serogroup B bacteria. Since the occurrence of meningococcal infections is uncommon in Hong Kong, and the currently available meningococcal vaccine does not confer protection against infections caused by serogroup B bacteria, its duration of protection is short and it is relatively ineffective in children aged under two, the meningococcal vaccine is not included in the local childhood immunisation programme. Except during disease outbreaks, children under 18 months of age should not receive this vaccine. Travellers to high risk areas may consult their doctors for meningococcal vaccination. Please visit the website of the Hong Kong Travel Health Service for more information: www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/vaccine_prophylaxis /meningo_vacc.html
Hepatitis A Vaccine Hepatitis A is one form of viral infection of the liver cells caused by hepatitis A virus. It is usually transmitted by ingestion of contaminated food and shellfish. Affected persons of Hepatitis A may have no symptoms. Those who have symptoms may have poor appetite, tiredness, nausea, loose stool and jaundice (yellow staining of skin and whites of the eyes). Persons after recovery usually have life-long immunity and there is no chronic carrier state. The most effective method for preventing hepatitis A is the observation of food, personal and environmental hygiene. Children who frequently travel to areas with common occurrence of hepatitis A may consider receiving hepatitis A vaccination for personal protection. For details, please visit the website of the Hong Kong Travel Health Service: www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/vaccine_prophylaxis /hepatitis_a.html
Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus. The disease occurs mainly in Asia and the Western Pacific Region, but is rare in Hong Kong. Mild infections may occur without apparent symptoms other than fever with headache. More severe infection is marked by quick onset of headache, high fever, neck stiffness, impaired mental state, coma, tremors, occasional convulsions (especially in infants), paralysis and even death. To prevent contracting the disease, one should take measures to prevent mosquito bites. Since the occurrence of the disease in Hong Kong is low, vaccination for Japanese encephalitis is usually not recommended for members of the general public. The vaccine is only recommended for travellers who plan to stay one month or longer in high risk areas, particular in rural areas. Please visit the CHP website for more information: www.chp.gov.hk/content890f.html?id=24&info_id= 28&lang=en&pid=9
Pneumococcal Vaccine Pneumococcal infection is a disease caused by bacteria. It is transmitted through direct contact with nose and throat secretions of infected persons. Serious acute infection is more common in children under two years old and elderly above 65 years old. It can cause pneumonia, meningitis, septicaemia, and even death. Since pneumococcal infection has a relatively lower occurrence among children in Hong Kong compared with other western countries, this vaccine is not included in the routine childhood immunisation programme in Hong Kong. If parents wish to get their children immunised for individual protection, please consult doctors first.
Family Health Service, Department of Health Website : www.fhs.gov.hk 24-hour information hotline : 2112 9900 FHS-IM2AB (New Jan 2007)

 
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Last revision date: 21 June 2007