'Vaccine supply to be ensured by diversified sourcing'

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said on Friday the administration will make improvements to its procurement process for the 2026-27 seasonal influenza vaccination scheme to ensure sustainable supply and boost jab rates.

Lo, speaking at a Legislative Council panel on Health Services, said supply could be ensured by purchasing vaccines from more sources.

"The government has improved the procurement process through introducing different influenza vaccines from various brands to diversify supply-chain risks, ensure reliability and sustainability of vaccine supply, as well as increase flexibility in vaccine use, thereby boosting vaccination rates," he said.

Lo said the commencement date for the scheme cannot be confirmed until September, when suppliers are able to provide jabs to the SAR – as production only starts after the World Health Organization has identified and announced the predominant flu strain circulating globally each year.

To further ensure supply, Lo said the administration would purchase 300,000 flu jabs for physicians operating under the pilot scheme on vaccine procurement for family doctors, up from 100,000 last year.

Lo also said authorities would closely monitor the flu situation as influenza cases are expected to rise in the coming weeks.

On boosting vaccination rates, Lo said maternal and child health centres will step up efforts for infants and toddlers aged six months to two years.

He also urged nursing home staff to get vaccinated each year – with jab rates in this group being only 30 percent – as they could transmit the virus to elderly people staying at the facilities after contracting the flu in the community.

Edited by Aaron Tam ...