Hong Kong reports critical child flu case, urges vaccination
A seven-year-old girl with pre-existing conditions is in critical condition with influenza A complicated by septic shock. Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection reported 28 severe paediatric flu cases this season, including two deaths. Authorities urge vaccination as protection wanes.
Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has reported a severe influenza case involving a seven-year-old girl with underlying health conditions. The child developed a runny nose, diarrhoea and abdominal pain on 29 October, followed by fever and convulsions the next day. She was taken to Tuen Mun Hospital's accident and emergency department and later transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit after her condition deteriorated. Tests confirmed she had influenza A (H1) complicated by septic shock. She remains in critical condition.
Preliminary investigations show the girl had not travelled abroad during the incubation period and had not received the 2026/27 seasonal flu vaccine. Her household contacts have shown no recent symptoms, although three classmates have developed mild flu symptoms not requiring hospitalisation. The CHP has advised the school to implement infection control measures.
CHP Director Dr Leong-sze Sze said Hong Kong has been in a flu season since late June, lasting four months. While overall flu activity shows signs of declining, it remains above baseline. This season has recorded 28 severe paediatric flu cases: 20 have recovered and been discharged, two are stable, four are critical and two have died.
Dr Sze emphasised that vaccine protection wanes about nine months after inoculation, aligning with World Health Organization recommendations for annual vaccination. Most people who received the 2025/26 vaccine are now more than nine months post-vaccination, with reduced immunity. The prolonged high-level flu season has increased infection and severe illness risks among vulnerable groups. He urged even those who have had flu this season to get vaccinated to protect against other circulating strains, calling vaccination the most effective way to prevent severe flu and complications.
CHP data from the previous season showed unvaccinated children were about five times more likely to develop severe complications or die from flu compared with vaccinated children. Among elderly residential care home residents aged 65 or over, unvaccinated individuals were about four times more likely to develop severe flu.
The 2026/27 seasonal flu vaccination programme began on 17 September, including a school outreach scheme with a new electronic consent function on the e-Health platform. About 1,600 schools have held outreach activities, with completion expected by mid-December, roughly two weeks earlier than last year.