Hong Kong authorities brush off concerns over flu vaccine for pregnant women

Hong Kong health authorities have brushed off concerns about a government-subsidised flu vaccine that lacks clinical trial data on pregnant women, saying doctors will assess this group before any injections.

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau urged the public on Monday to get the flu vaccine, just days after worries surfaced over the mainland-China produced Sinovac influenza jab being one of four offerings in the government’s vaccination programmes starting later this month.

Authorities have recently repeated calls for residents, especially vulnerable groups, to get flu shots as the city may experience an overlap of the summer and winter flu seasons following a surge in outbreaks in schools.

“If a pregnant woman decides to receive the Sinovac influenza jab, she would first need to pass a medical assessment by a doctor to ensure she is suitable for the vaccine,” Lo said, after receiving the vaccine himself.

He added that when choosing a vaccine, the decision was based on medical necessity and a doctor’s assessment, not on a specific brand.

It is the first time the Sinovac jab has been included in the government’s programmes, which offer free or subsidised jabs to specific groups, including pregnant women. People eligible for the shots do not have a choice of the brand.