As flu pattern shifts, HK tops 450 school outbreaks

The city is grappling with a significant and sustained rise in influenza activity, with health authorities recording more than 450 outbreaks in schools since the new term began, over half of which were in primary schools.

The intense flu season, which has persisted beyond its typical summer window, has prompted health experts to call for a review of the government's vaccination schedule.

The visible concern was evident on Tuesday morning at a primary school in Tuen Mun, where a significant number of students were seen wearing face masks as a precautionary measure.

Edmund Lam Wing-wo, a member of the government's Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases, attributed the surge to a disruption in the usual rhythm of flu seasons following the Covid-19 pandemic.

“After Covid, the influenza pattern has become disordered and sometimes unpredictable. This time, the outbreak has coincided with the start of the school year,” Lam said.

He explained that by September, immunity from the previous season's flu vaccine begins to wane, creating a “gap in protection” before the new annual vaccination programme gets fully underway.

“I believe the relevant authorities should review the situation. The principle should be to vaccinate as early as possible, but we also need to discuss how to handle the potential scenario of early vaccination leading to waning immunity by next summer,” he added.

In response to the escalating situation, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has issued a strong advisory, urging schools and parents to arrange for students to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine promptly.

The CHP also reminded the public that anyone developing flu-like symptoms should seek medical attention as soon as possible.