A pandemic expert has urged the public to get mRNA vaccines as the city sees a rise in the prevalence of Covid-19, dominated by a new variant: jn.1.
Ivan Hung, chair professor of infectious diseases at the Department of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong, told RTHK on Sunday that a spike in Covid-19 infections may last until the end of the Lunar New Year holiday in mid-February.
The virus has been on the rise over the past few weeks, the Centre for Health Protection said in its weekly briefing last Wednesday, adding that jn.1 has become the most prevalent strain in the city.
Hung said that, while most jn.1 infections caused mild symptoms, the variant involves higher transmissibility than XBB, a variant previously prevalent in Hong Kong. Both XBB and jn.1 are variants belonging to the Omicron BA.2 strain.
The expert urged the public, especially the elderly and those with any long term illness, to get mRNA vaccines before Lunar New year holiday as inactivated vaccines are not effective in dealing with Covid-19 variants.
He added that XBB mRNA vaccines, which are currently available in Hong Kong, are nevertheless effective in reducing risks of serious illness or death causing by jn.1 infections.
2024 winter influenza season
Aside from Covid-19, the city has also entered winter influenza season. David Hui, professor and chairman at the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said on TVB in early January that the city saw the beginning of influenza season on January 8.
Hui expected the season would last 12 to 14 weeks, but there was a low risk of community outbreak as 47 per cent of people aged over 65 have received vaccines, whilst over 80 per cent of people living in residential care homes have received jabs.
XBB vaccines
The Hong Kong government rolled out the first phase of the XBB Covid-19 vaccine plan last December, offering free vaccination services for adult residents at residential care homes and the elderly aged 65 or above.
Since January 18, the plan has been extended to a second phase, covering other high-risk groups.
Hongkongers aged 50 to 64, adults aged 18 to 49 with underlying comorbidities, persons aged 6 months or above and with immunocompromising conditions, pregnant women and healthcare workers can get free XBB Covid-19 vaccination at designated medical facilities. Others must approach private clinics.
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