Paediatric Vaccination Services

Paediatric combination vaccines can protect against multiple common childhood infectious diseases in a single injection. They help reduce the number of injections required while supporting the development of immune protection. The doctor will recommend a suitable vaccine combination according to your child’s age, health condition and previous vaccination record. Common types include six-in-one, five-in-one, four-in-one and Hib vaccines.

Hepatitis A is mainly transmitted through contaminated food or water. Children may not show obvious symptoms after infection, but they may still spread the virus to others. Vaccination helps reduce the risk of infection and hepatitis-related complications.

Eligible recipients
Children and adolescents; particularly suitable for children who are preparing to travel, frequently dine out, or wish to receive additional protection.

Number of doses
2 doses

Interval
The 2nd dose is usually given 6 to 12 months after the 1st dose.

Route of administration
Intramuscular injection

Hepatitis B can be transmitted through blood or body fluids, and can also be passed from mother to baby during delivery. Completing the Hepatitis B vaccination course helps reduce the risk of infection and chronic liver disease in later life.

Eligible recipients
Newborns, children and individuals who have not completed Hepatitis B vaccination.

Number of doses
Usually 3 doses

Interval
Commonly given at birth, 1 month and 6 months of age. Catch-up vaccination will be arranged according to medical assessment.

Route of administration
Intramuscular injection

Japanese encephalitis is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Although the local risk in Hong Kong is relatively low, children travelling to areas where Japanese encephalitis is endemic, or staying for an extended period in rural or agricultural areas, may consider vaccination for additional protection.

Eligible recipients
Children and adults aged 9 months or above; particularly suitable for those travelling to high-risk areas or staying there for an extended period.

Number of doses
Usually 1 dose. For children and adolescents who require long-term protection, the doctor may recommend a booster dose.

Interval
If a booster dose is required, it is usually arranged around 1 to 2 years after the 1st dose, depending on the ongoing risk of exposure.

Route of administration
Subcutaneous injection

The MMRV vaccine* helps protect against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella. These diseases may cause fever, rash and swelling of the parotid glands. In severe cases, they may lead to pneumonia, encephalitis or other complications.

We also provide the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.

Eligible recipients
Children and individuals who have not completed vaccination; generally starting from 12 months of age.

Number of doses
Usually 2 doses

Interval
Under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme, related vaccinations are generally arranged at 12 months and 18 months / Primary One stage. The actual arrangement depends on the child’s year of birth and vaccination record.

Route of administration
Subcutaneous injection

*Under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme, children born on or after 1 July 2018 will receive the Measles, Mumps, Rubella & Varicella (MMRV) vaccine at 18 months of age.

Rotavirus is a common cause of gastroenteritis in infants and young children. It can cause severe diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and dehydration. The rotavirus vaccine is an oral vaccine suitable for infants in early infancy.

Varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, is highly contagious and can cause fever and a generalised blister-like rash. Most children recover naturally, but some cases may develop complications such as skin infection, pneumonia or encephalitis. The varicella vaccine helps reduce the risk of infection and severe disease.

Eligible recipients
Children aged 12 months or above, and individuals who have never had chickenpox or have not completed vaccination.

Number of doses
Usually 2 doses

Interval
For children, the doses are usually given at least 3 months apart. For older children, the schedule may be arranged according to the doctor’s recommendation.

Route of administration
Subcutaneous injection

Note: The Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme includes the varicella vaccine, with varicella or MMRV combined vaccination arranged at specified ages.

Meningococcal infection can cause meningitis and septicaemia, and the condition may deteriorate rapidly. The vaccine helps protect against meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y. It may be considered for individuals with travel, overseas study, dormitory living or other high-risk factors.

Meningococcal group B can cause invasive meningococcal disease, including meningitis and septicaemia. Bexsero may be used to help protect against meningococcal group B infection, and may be considered especially for infants, young children, adolescents, overseas students or individuals at higher risk of infection.

Eligible recipients
Infants, children and adolescents aged 2 months or above.

Number of doses
2 to 23 months: 3 doses
2 years or above: 2 doses
* According to official recommendations, booster doses should be considered for individuals with ongoing risk of meningococcal infection.

Interval
No less than 2 months

Route of administration
Intramuscular injection

Pneumococcus can cause otitis media, pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia. Infants, young children, older adults and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines help children build protection and reduce the risk of serious infection.

Seasonal influenza can cause fever, cough, sore throat, muscle pain and fatigue. Children infected with influenza may develop complications such as otitis media, pneumonia or other conditions. Annual influenza vaccination helps reduce the risk of infection, severe disease and hospitalisation.

Eligible recipients
Children and adults aged 6 months or above; especially recommended for young children, students, individuals with chronic illnesses or those with weakened immunity.

Number of doses
1 dose every year. Children under 9 years old who are receiving the vaccine for the first time or have incomplete vaccination records may require 2 doses.

Interval
If 2 doses are required, they should be given at least 4 weeks apart.

Route of administration
Intramuscular injection or nasal spray vaccine, subject to doctor’s assessment.

A: Vaccination helps children build immunity and reduces the risk of infection from various infectious diseases and serious complications, such as pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media, severe gastroenteritis and chronic liver disease. Following the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme helps provide children with more comprehensive protection.

A: The doctor will refer to the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme, as well as your child’s age, health condition, previous vaccination record and travel needs, to recommend suitable vaccines and vaccination timing. Parents are advised to bring their child’s immunisation record when attending the consultation, so that the doctor can make an accurate assessment.

A: Government-funded vaccines are mainly provided under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme. They cover a range of important vaccines and are usually administered at Maternal and Child Health Centres or by school immunisation teams. Private hospitals can provide various combination vaccines, such as 6-in-1 and 5-in-1S vaccines, as well as additional self-financed vaccines, such as rotavirus, Hib, meningococcal, Japanese encephalitis and Hepatitis A vaccines. This allows parents to complete multiple vaccinations at the same institution. Parents are advised to discuss with the doctor to choose a suitable arrangement based on family needs and travel plans.

• On the day of vaccination, please ensure that your child is in a stable condition, without severe fever, acute illness or severe allergic reactions.
• Please bring identification documents, vaccination records and medical history for the doctor’s review.
• If your child has a history of severe allergy, epilepsy, chronic illness or immune system problems, please inform the doctor in advance.

Most children experience only mild and short-term reactions after vaccination, such as:

• Redness, swelling or pain at the injection site
• Mild fever
• Fatigue or slightly reduced appetite
• These reactions usually improve within one to two days

In most cases, the child only needs adequate rest and fluids. Fever medication may be used if necessary, according to the doctor’s advice.

Seek medical attention immediately if any of the following occurs:

• Persistent high fever or breathing difficulty
• Marked swelling of the lips or eyelids, generalised rash or symptoms of shock
• Convulsions or extreme lethargy

Yes. Even if a recommended vaccination time has been missed, most vaccines can still be given as catch-up doses. The doctor will arrange an appropriate schedule according to your child’s age and the number of doses already received, so that the vaccination course can be completed.

Combination vaccines can protect against multiple diseases in a single injection, such as six-in-one and five-in-one vaccines. Their benefits include:

• Reducing the number of injections
• Minimising discomfort caused by multiple vaccinations
• Increasing the chance of completing the full vaccination schedule

The doctor will recommend combination or separate vaccination according to the vaccine brand, child’s age and family needs.

Additional vaccines may be recommended when travelling to certain regions or staying for a long period in rural or agricultural areas. Examples include:

• Rotavirus vaccine, for areas with poorer sanitation
• Japanese encephalitis vaccine, for mosquito-borne endemic areas
• Hepatitis A vaccine, for destinations with higher food or water safety risks
• Meningococcal vaccine, for overseas study, dormitory living or group living

The doctor will assess the need for additional vaccines according to the destination and duration of stay.

Vaccines work in different ways.

• Vaccines such as Hepatitis B, pneumococcal, meningococcal and MMR vaccines generally provide longer-term protection once the recommended doses are completed.
• The influenza vaccine is recommended every year because influenza viruses change over time. Annual vaccination helps maintain up-to-date protection.