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Sunday, Dec 22, 2024
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Annual Covid-19 vaccinations may be necessary for immunocompromised people, says David Hui
Health expert David Hui Shu-cheong said Covid-19 vaccination may have to be regularized and become an annual thing for elderly people, chronic disease patients, and those with a weak immune system, although the pandemic is gone.
Hui told a radio program on Saturday that key figures, including serious cases, deaths, and Covid-positive sewage samples, have remained at low levels.
He added that the dominant Covid subvariants BA.2 and BA.5 are highly transmissive but not really that fatal, believing that the immunity barrier in communities remains solid.
Hui also said he expects people in the high-risk groups to receive Covid shots every year with arrangements similar to the flu vaccine.
He said a vaccine panel from the World Health Organization will convene a meeting on March 20 and 21 to discuss relevant suggestions.
In Hong Kong’s case, the scientific committees under the Centre for Health Protection will meet to review its recommendation on getting Covid jabs by the end of this month.
Hui said many countries have relaxed anti-Covid curbs already and observed a rise in flu and other upper respiratory diseases. He suggested citizens planning a vacation complete their Covid and flu shots as soon as possible.
As for many Hongkongers who are still hanging tight onto their masks despite the lifted mandate, Hui noted it has become a habit for them.
He expected more and more people would go mask-free in the summer but recommended elderly and people with weak immune systems keep their masks on for more protection.
He added that the dominant Covid subvariants BA.2 and BA.5 are highly transmissive but not really that fatal, believing that the immunity barrier in communities remains solid.
Hui also said he expects people in the high-risk groups to receive Covid shots every year with arrangements similar to the flu vaccine.
He said a vaccine panel from the World Health Organization will convene a meeting on March 20 and 21 to discuss relevant suggestions.
In Hong Kong’s case, the scientific committees under the Centre for Health Protection will meet to review its recommendation on getting Covid jabs by the end of this month.
Hui said many countries have relaxed anti-Covid curbs already and observed a rise in flu and other upper respiratory diseases. He suggested citizens planning a vacation complete their Covid and flu shots as soon as possible.
As for many Hongkongers who are still hanging tight onto their masks despite the lifted mandate, Hui noted it has become a habit for them.
He expected more and more people would go mask-free in the summer but recommended elderly and people with weak immune systems keep their masks on for more protection.
