Why get vaccinated?
Vaccinations stimulate the body to produce antibodies that fight off disease. When children are vaccinated, the infection rate of contagious diseases is greatly reduced. If a large proportion of the population is immunised and develops immunity, it can reduce the spread of contagious diseases within the community, thereby protecting the health and lives of individuals and the community.
When do children need to be vaccinated?
Vaccinations need to start from newborn babies because infants have weaker resistance and are more susceptible to infectious diseases. Since the immunity generated after some vaccinations gradually weakens, a booster shot for that vaccine is required after a period of time to maintain a certain level of immunity in the body.
Children typically need to be vaccinated against: * **Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP)** * **Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)** * **Hepatitis B** * **Hepatitis A** * **Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)** * **Poliomyelitis (polio)** * **Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)** * **Rotavirus** * **Varicella (chickenpox)** * **Human papillomavirus (HPV)** * **Meningococcal disease** * **Influenza (flu)**
From newborns up to primary school year six, children require various vaccinations and boosters to prevent tuberculosis, polio, hepatitis B, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, pneumococcus, chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella.
Do I need to get vaccines outside of government-funded programmes?
The current Hong Kong government's child vaccination programme offers a limited range of free vaccines. If parents wish to provide their children with more health protection, it is recommended that they attend private clinics or hospitals to receive other vaccines, thereby enhancing their children's defence against infection and safeguarding their personal health. Self-funded vaccines include:
- Rotavirus vaccine
- Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Japanese encephalitis vaccine
- Influenza vaccine
