Hong Kong's acting Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (third left), Secretary for Labour and Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong (first left), and the Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui (second right) receive seasonal influenza vaccination in the city, Oct 20, 2021. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG - Acting Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, together with a number of Principal Officials and Under Secretaries received seasonal influenza vaccination on Wednesday and called on Hong Kong residents to receive the jabs early to get prepared for the coming winter influenza season. 

Legislative Council president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, who was among 32 Hong Kong lawmakers who got the jab at the Legislative Council building, also appealed to Hong Kong residents to get vaccinated against seasonal flu. 

"Influenza can cause not only serious illnesses in high-risk individuals but also infection in healthy persons. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications,” said Lee. 

The recommended interval between the administration of a seasonal influenza vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine is at least 14 days, said health chief Sophia Chan

More evidence indicates that a person who contracts influenza and COVID-19 at the same time would have a higher risk of serious complications and death, and influenza vaccination may reduce the likelihood of hospitalization and the length of stay, he added. 

Leung expressed his hope that the mainland-Hong Kong border could reopen soon as more residents get inoculated.

At the event, Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee made a similar appeal, calling on members of the public to get their shots against the seasonal flu and COVID-19.

"Getting an influenza vaccine is equally important to getting a COVID-19 vaccine" as anyone being infected with influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill, she said.

Legislative Council president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen (left) receives vaccination against seasonal flu as Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee looks on at the Legislative Council building, Hong Kong, Oct 20, 2021. (CALVIN NG/ CHINA DAILY)

She added the government has procured 900,000 doses of seasonal flu vaccine which she believes should be enough for the public this season.

Hong Kong lawmakers who join an event to get vaccinated against the seasonal flu pose for a group photo at the Legislative Council building, Hong Kong, Oct 20, 2021. (CALVIN NG/ CHINA DAILY)

The recommended interval between the administration of a seasonal influenza vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine is at least 14 days, she said.

ALSO READ: HK overtakes US in COVID-19 vaccinations, sees 5 new cases

On Tuesday, Chan also called on the public, particularly the elderly, to get their jabs as soon as possible “to build up dual protection.”

Lawmaker Christopher Cheung Wah-fung receives vaccination against the seasonal flu at the Legislative Council building, Hong Kong, Oct 20, 2021. (CALVIN NG/ CHINA DAILY)

Lawmakers Lam Kin-fung (2nd left) and Tommy Cheung Yu-yan (2nd right) receive vaccination against the seasonal flu at the Legislative Council building, Hong Kong, Oct 20, 2021. (CALVIN NG/ CHINA DAILY)

Lawmaker Wong Ting-kwong receives vaccination against the seasonal flu as Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee looks on at the Legislative Council building, Hong Kong, Oct 20, 2021. (CALVIN NG/ CHINA DAILY)

The government’s seasonal influenza vaccination drive started in early October. Under the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme, eight types of people, including the elderly aged 65 years or above, are eligible for subsidized seasonal influenza vaccination and pneumococcal vaccination through the participation of private doctors.