Sinovac flu shots safe for pregnant women, Hong Kong health experts say

Health experts have dismissed concerns about a Hong Kong government-subsidised flu vaccine that does not have clinical trial data on pregnant women, saying the decades-long technology is safe and people with less confidence can turn to the private sector for shots.

Authorities said on Tuesday that Hong Kong had entered the summer flu season, a day after concerns were raised when the government revealed that the Sinovac influenza jab would be one of four vaccines offered in its vaccination programmes starting later this month.

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 cannot choose the brand.

The product description of the mainland Chinese-made Sinovac inactivated vaccine said that “no clinical trial data on the use of this product is available for pregnant and lactating women”.

“If this group of people needs to use this vaccine, it is recommended to make a decision after the benefit and risk assessment [done] together with a doctor,” it said.

Another inactivated vaccine in the programme, supplied by French manufacturer Sanofi, has data stating that it can be used at “all stages of pregnancy”, according to information released by Ireland’s Health Products Regulatory Authority.