This photo taken on February 21, 2023 shows pedestrians crossing a street in Central district of Hong Kong. (PHOTO / AFP)

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Special Administration Region government renewed its call to residents to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza as infections continued to climb and exceeded the baseline threshold in early April. 

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The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (SCVPD) under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health recommended residents get their annual jabs as it announced the arrival of the influenza season in Hong Kong. With Hong Kong entering the peak season of seasonal influenza, the authorities believe the risk of influenza transmission will become higher. 

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Taking into account the increasing seasonal influenza activity and pediatric hospital admissions, the government said children should be vaccinated against influenza as early as possible.

COVID-19 vaccines can be co-administered with the seasonal influenza vaccine. 

The CHP also urged residents take precautions against contracting COVID-19 as local surveillance data indicated infections seemed to be climbing

The CHP also urged residents take precautions against contracting COVID-19 as local surveillance data indicated infections seemed to be climbing. 

Separately, the CHP is investigating an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection at a secondary school in Ma On Shan.

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The outbreak involves 26 students, comprising 13 male and 13 female students aged between 16 and 19. They developed symptoms beginning April 17. Seven of them sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. All are in stable condition.

The school concerned has been placed under medical surveillance.