The team hopes influenza vaccine can be incorporated into Hong Kong’s routine Childhood Immunisation Programme to encourage more parents to have their children vaccinated.

Abstract

A CUHK Medicine research team designed an intervention trial which proved a four-component intervention package could increase influenza vaccination uptake in children aged below two. While influenza remains a leading cause of hospitalisation among children in Hong Kong, the influenza vaccine is at least 60% effective in preventing influenza-associated hospitalisation of young children.

Researchers demonstrated that providing an information sheet about the risks of influenza and the benefits of vaccination; a semi-completed form on the vaccine subsidy; contacts of clinics that did not charge above the subsidy; and text message reminders would lead to much higher vaccination rates.

The results were published in the international medical journal Vaccine.  

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