The Department of Health will launch an updated childhood immunisation programme from February 1 and introduce an injectable combination vaccine, DTaP-IPV.

Health Protection Centre Consultant of Community Medicine Dr Thomas Tsang today said the vaccine has a proven record of effectiveness against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. It is more convenient to administer and has fewer side effects such as fever, local pain, redness, and swelling.

Under the new programme, the DTaP-IPV vaccine will be administered for all babies at the age of two months, four months, six months, 18 months and when they enter primary school. 

Babies who have received existing oral poliovirus vaccine and whole-cell pertussis vaccines can go on to complete their vaccinations with the new vaccine without restarting the schedule.

Existing vaccines

The existing Type I oral poliovirus vaccine for newborns is no longer necessary and will be discontinued. An additional acellular pertussis vaccine will be offered to primary one and primary six students for extra protection.

Another vaccine with reduced dosage of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis component will be introduced for primary six students in the 2007-08 school year. 

During the prevailing school year, the vaccines in the original schedule (oral poliovirus vaccine  plus diphtheria and tetanus vaccine) will continue to be administered to primary six students.

Parents should bring their children to healthcare providers for updated immunisation. They can also visit the department's maternal and child health centres for vaccination or consult their family doctors.

For more information, click here, or call 2833 0111.