Hong Kong experts call for MenB vaccination before overseas study

Health experts are urging parents to vaccinate their children against meningococcal group B (MenB) before sending them to study in popular destinations such as Australia and Canada, where outbreaks are ongoing.

They also called for stronger public awareness campaigns after Hong Kong recorded seven meningococcal infection cases since the beginning of this year — its highest number in five years — including one fatal case.

President of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Hong Kong So Yiu-wah linked the uptick in infections to the post-pandemic resurgence of travel and cross-border exchanges.

Early symptoms can be misleading and deadly: Expert

He warned that early meningococcal symptoms can resemble a common cold, but the disease may progress rapidly — potentially leading to severe illness like meningitis and sepsis, and even death within 24 hours.

So revealed that in this year’s fatal case, the patient initially exhibited symptoms such as high fever and confusion, with the condition worsening swiftly after hospitalization, resulting in death within two days.

Paediatrics and Adolescent medicine specialist Mike Kwan Yat-wah noted that Australia has seen a year-on-year increase in MenB cases since 2018, with over 100 cases recorded annually for three consecutive years, surpassing other serogroups.

Low awareness and vaccination rates among Hong Kong parents

Despite this trend, a recent survey by the Society found only 15 percent of 100 responding local parents had scheduled MenB vaccination for their children. Additionally, awareness of the MenB vaccine among respondents was only 67 percent.

Kwan stated that infants, children, and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to meningococcal infection as they frequently participate in social gatherings and crowded environments, which facilitate bacterial transmission through respiratory droplets from infected individuals.

Calls for stronger public education and travel advice

So suggested the government ramp up public education while advising travelers to high-risk regions to seek medical advice and get vaccinated.

He highlighted the success of vaccination campaigns abroad, with cases dropping by 75 percent in the UK, 96 percent in Canada, and 71 percent in South Australia.

He also proposed adding the MenB vaccine to Hong Kong’s routine childhood immunization schedule, aligning with practices in many other regions.

Both experts emphasized that parents planning overseas trips, exchanges, or studies for their children should consult family doctors early, so as to tailor preventive measures to the dominant serogroups and vaccination rules of their destination.

(Cheng Wong)