The Department of Health today said over 1.86 million doses of the seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) were administered under various programmes in the 2023-24 season, reaching a record high.

The figure also represents a 20% increase compared with the same period last year, it added.

In a statement responding to media reports on SIV use, the department pointed out all children and adolescents aged below 18 years are covered by the Government’s vaccination programme.

For the current SIV season, around 350 secondary schools, 630 primary schools and 890 kindergartens and child care centres have enrolled in the SIV School Outreach (Free of Charge) Programme and the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme School Outreach (Extra Charge Allowed), accounting for about 70%, 95% and 80% of the schools concerned across the city respectively.

The department noted that given its publicity efforts, the number of students receiving the jab in 2023-24 has significantly increased compared to last year.

As at June 2, about 538,200 doses of the SIV were administered for children aged between six months and below 18 years under the Government Vaccination Programme, reaching a record high and increasing by about 36.9% on last year.

Meanwhile, the overall vaccine coverage rate has reached 52.9%.

The department made it clear that according to the recommendations of the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (SCVPD) under the Centre for Health Protection, both injectable inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV) and the nasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) are safe and can offer comparable protection.

It added that there is no scientific evidence supporting the priority use of the nasal LAIV thus far.

The statement also noted that according to the current arrangement under the SIV School Outreach (Free of Charge) Programme, kindergarten and child care centres can choose to receive the injectable IIV or nasal LAIV, and that sufficient vaccines were provided to those which chose the nasal LAIV.

Only about a quarter of the kindergartens and child care centres that participated in the SIV School Outreach (Free of Charge) Programme chose to use the nasal LAIV.

Based on past experience, the schools and healthcare providers participating in the outreach programme will consider factors such as parental preference, side effects and contraindications of influenza vaccines when selecting the vaccines for outreach vaccination activities.

The department reiterated that people suitable for receiving IIV and LAIV vaccine are different, adding that there are more restrictions for receiving nasal spray vaccines with more points to note, and the shelf-life is also shorter.

The seasonal influenza vaccines for this season will be expired from July and the 2024-25 SIV programmes are expected to start in September.

The department will formulate the implementation details for the 2024-25 season, including the best mode of operation and types of vaccine to be provided, with reference to survey results against schools and doctors participating in the 2024 school outreach programmes, and latest recommendations and experience of the SCVPD and health authorities of other areas.