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A: Vaccines for use in the 2025-2026 northern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:

• - A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
• - A/Croatia/10136RV/2023 (H3N2)-like virus;
• - B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus;
• - B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.

A: Inactivated influenza vaccines are divided into two types based on their components: "trivalent" and "quadrivalent." Trivalent vaccines contain two types of influenza A viruses (H1N1 and H3N2) and one type of influenza B virus, expected to prevent most influenza cases. Quadrivalent vaccines contain two types of influenza A viruses and two types of influenza B viruses, providing additional protection.

A: Currently, three types of vaccine technologies are approved by the Hong Kong Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases: recombinant influenza vaccine, inactivated influenza vaccine, and nasal spray influenza vaccine. Our clinic offers inactivated influenza vaccines and nasal spray influenza vaccines.

The nasal spray influenza vaccine is one of the quadrivalent vaccine options, suitable for individuals aged 2 to 49 years. The main difference between the nasal spray influenza vaccine and the traditional flu shot is that it is administered painlessly, making it suitable for those who fear needles. Due to the different administration method, the effectiveness of the nasal spray influenza vaccine may vary depending on the recipient’s health condition. The cost of the nasal spray influenza vaccine is $680 per dose.

A: Influenza can cause severe complications or even death in high-risk individuals, and healthy individuals can also be affected. Except for those with known contraindications, all individuals aged 6 months or older should receive the seasonal influenza vaccine to protect their own health and that of others.

A: Some individuals are at higher risk of developing severe influenza or transmitting the virus to other high-risk individuals. Therefore, they should receive the seasonal influenza vaccine as early as possible, including:

• - Healthcare workers (including staff in residential care homes for the elderly or disabled, and laboratory personnel handling influenza virus samples);
• - Individuals aged 50 years or above;
• - Pregnant women;
• - Residents of care homes (e.g., homes for the elderly or disabled);
• - Individuals with chronic health conditions*;
• - Children and adolescents aged 6 months to under 18 years;
• - Poultry industry workers; and
• - Workers in the pig farming or pig slaughtering industries.

A: The following high-risk individuals should be aware of the potential risks of influenza vaccination and consult their family doctor if in doubt:

• - Individuals who experienced severe discomfort after previous vaccinations;
• - Infants under 6 months of age;
• - Individuals allergic to vaccine components;
• - Individuals with severe allergies to egg proteins;
• - Children and adolescents taking aspirin or salicylate-containing medications;
• - Children aged 2 to 4 years with asthma or who have had wheezing in the past 12 months.

A: Yes, breastfeeding mothers can receive the influenza vaccine. Women who receive the influenza vaccine during pregnancy or breastfeeding produce antibodies against influenza, which can be passed to their infants through breast milk, providing a certain level of protection for the infant.

A: To ensure sufficient immunity against seasonal influenza, children aged 6 months to under 9 years who have never received a seasonal influenza vaccine should receive two doses of the vaccine in the current season, with at least 28 days between doses. Children under 9 years who have previously received any seasonal influenza vaccine only need one dose in the current season. Individuals aged 9 years or older only need one dose of the seasonal influenza vaccine each year.

*For children under 9 years who have never been vaccinated but received only one dose in the previous season, it is recommended to receive only one dose in the current season.

A: No, the first and second doses do not need to be of the same type; however, the two doses should be administered at least 4 weeks apart.

A: No. It takes approximately two weeks after vaccination for the body to produce antibodies to protect against influenza viruses. To prevent influenza, vaccinated individuals should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, get adequate rest, and avoid smoking.

A: The influenza vaccine needs to be received annually. Since circulating seasonal influenza virus strains may change over time, the components of the seasonal influenza vaccine are updated each year based on the prevalent strains to enhance protection.

A: Hong Kong’s influenza peak seasons typically occur from January to March and July to August. Individuals with lower immunity and the elderly are at risk of severe illness from influenza, which may lead to complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia, or encephalopathy, and in severe cases, death. The seasonal influenza vaccine is one of the effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, ensuring adequate protection during the influenza season. If you are a high-risk individual, it is recommended to get vaccinated as early as possible.

A: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, during the influenza season, if the vaccine’s antigens match the circulating virus strains, the influenza vaccine can reduce the overall population’s risk of contracting influenza by 40% to 60%.

A: There are several reasons why some people may still contract influenza or experience flu-like symptoms after receiving the influenza vaccine:

• - First, it takes about two weeks for the body to produce antibodies after vaccination, so if a person is exposed to the influenza virus shortly after vaccination, they may still get sick due to insufficient antibody levels.
• -Second, other respiratory viruses can cause flu-like symptoms, leading individuals to mistakenly believe they have influenza.
• - Third, a small number of people may experience side effects from the inactivated influenza vaccine, such as fever or muscle pain, which may be mistaken for influenza.

Nevertheless, all individuals aged 6 months or older, except those with known contraindications, should receive the seasonal influenza vaccine annually, as it is an effective way to reduce the risk of seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as hospitalization and death due to influenza.

A: Like other vaccines, the flu shot may cause side effects. Generally, mild side effects subside within a few hours to a few days after vaccination. Common side effects or adverse reactions after receiving the influenza vaccine include:

• - Redness, swelling, itching, or pain at the injection site;
• - General muscle fatigue, soreness, or joint pain;
• - Runny nose or nasal congestion;
• - Sore throat or cough;
• - Fever or sweating;
• - Headache or dizziness;
• - Nausea or vomiting;
• - Gastrointestinal discomfort, such as abdominal pain or diarrhea;
• - Allergic reactions, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome or ocular-respiratory syndrome;
• - Individuals with a history of allergies should pay special attention to vaccine components, as severe allergic reactions or complications could potentially be life-threatening. Such individuals should consult a doctor before receiving the flu shot.

A: Yes, the pneumococcal vaccine can be administered at the same visit as the seasonal influenza vaccine. If an inactivated influenza vaccine is used, it should be administered with a different syringe and at a different injection site from the pneumococcal vaccine. For more information about the pneumococcal vaccine, please provide your contact details, and we will reach out to share more details with you.

A: Please provide your contact details, and our staff will contact you shortly regarding the benefits.