Department of Health reaffirms scientific foundation and global success of Hong Kong childhood immunisation programme - Dimsum Daily
11th August 2026 – (Hong Kong) The Department of Health (DH) underlined that all public health policies and medical recommendations within the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme are grounded in robust scientific evidence, cautioning that vaccination schedules must not be amended arbitrarily. Health authorities emphasised that changing immunisation timetables without solid medical justification could expose […]
File photo. 11th August 2026 – (Hong Kong) The Department of Health (DH) underlined that all public health policies and medical recommendations within the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme are grounded in robust scientific evidence, cautioning that vaccination schedules must not be amended arbitrarily. Health authorities emphasised that changing immunisation timetables without solid medical justification could expose children to significant and irreversible health risks, as any delay in vaccination reduces protection against infectious diseases. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has reiterated its advice for parents to ensure their children receive all recommended vaccinations on schedule to maintain the highest levels of protection. Since the 1960s, Hong Kong’s Childhood Immunisation Programme has provided a wide range of vaccinations to children through Maternal and Child Health Centres and School Immunisation Teams. Following recommendations from the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases, the programme ensures that infants through to Primary Six students are protected against serious diseases such as tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, pneumococcal infection, chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella. Additionally, eligible girls in primary schools are offered the human papillomavirus vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. The Government also extends vaccination services to high-risk populations, covering seasonal influenza, pneumococcal infection, and COVID-19. The success of this approach is reflected in outstanding immunisation coverage rates, thanks to the continued trust and support of parents, schools, and healthcare professionals. According to the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, vaccination coverage for childhood immunisations in Hong Kong remains exceptionally high, contributing to extremely low incidence rates for many serious childhood infections. Notably, Hong Kong has achieved the elimination of diseases such as poliomyelitis in 2000, measles in 2016, and rubella in 2021. These milestones have been made possible by sustained community efforts to uphold the immunisation programme. The Department noted that combination vaccines—such as the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine given at twelve months, followed by the MMRV jab at eighteen months—are strongly supported by international and local research for their safety and efficacy. These combination vaccines are widely used around the world, help to reduce the number of individual injections, and significantly lower the risk of incomplete vaccination. Coverage for both the MMR and MMRV vaccines has remained above ninety-five per cent in Hong Kong, ensuring ongoing population immunity. Global resurgence of diseases such as measles has been linked overwhelmingly to areas with lower vaccination rates; by contrast, Hong Kong has kept imported case numbers stable and has maintained its disease elimination status through its high vaccination coverage. In line with the World Health Organization’s recommendations, Hong Kong continues to offer hepatitis B vaccination for newborns, achieving a vaccination rate of ninety-nine per cent among pre-school children. Data from the recent Population Health Survey show that hepatitis B prevalence in post-1988 birth cohorts—the year of programme introduction—has fallen below one per cent. This demonstrates steady progress toward the city’s ambition of achieving a hepatitis B-free generation. The Department also highlighted the proven effectiveness of vaccines in reducing severe illness and death associated with seasonal influenza and COVID-19, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and those with chronic illness or compromised immunity. Parents of pre-school children who have not yet completed the recommended vaccination schedule are urged to arrange appointments at Maternal and Child Health Centres promptly or to consult their doctors. New arrivals to Hong Kong who are unsure of their immunisation status should complete any pending vaccinations to ensure protection against preventable diseases.