The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (Scientific Committee) under the Center for Health Protection of the Department of Health held a meeting yesterday (26th) to review the pneumococcal vaccines used locally and issued updated recommendations today (27th). At the meeting, experts reviewed the epidemiological data on invasive pneumococcal infections and learned that invasive pneumococcal infections are more common in children aged two to four and elderly people aged 65 or above in Hong Kong, while serotype 3 pneumonia cocci is the most common serotype causing invasive pneumococcal infections, accounting for approximately half of all cases from 2015 to 2019.
After reviewing the scientific data, the Scientific Committee considers that the existing pneumococcal vaccines in Hong Kong include two newly registered vaccines, namely the fifteen-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) and the twenty-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine). price vaccines), all are safe and effective. In addition, compared with the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (13-valent vaccine) and the 20-valent vaccine, the 15-valent vaccine has a higher immune response against serotype 3 pneumococcal bacteria and is believed to be more effective in preventing infections caused by this serotype. Invasive pneumococcal infection.
Replace the 13-valent vaccine with the 15-valent vaccine and the vaccination schedule remains unchanged
After taking into account local epidemiological data and existing scientific evidence, the Scientific Committee recommended that the 15-valent vaccine be used to replace the 13-valent vaccine under both the Hong Kong Childhood Immunization Program and the Government’s Pneumococcal Immunization Program, with corresponding vaccines for children and high-risk individuals The vaccination schedule remains unchanged. When the 15-valent vaccine is available under the government’s vaccination programme, children can receive a total of two doses of the 15-valent vaccine at two months and four months, followed by a booster dose at 12 months. Elderly people aged 65 or above without high-risk conditions who have not received pneumococcal vaccine should receive one dose of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (23-valent vaccine), while those with high-risk conditions should receive one dose 15-valent vaccine, and one dose of 23-valent vaccine one year later. Citizens who are not eligible for the relevant government vaccination programs can choose any locally registered pneumococcal vaccine to protect themselves against invasive pneumococcal infection by following the manufacturer’s recommendations and discussing with healthcare professionals.
The shingles vaccine is not yet included in the government’s vaccination plan
During the same meeting, the Scientific Committee also discussed vaccination against herpes zoster. Experts believe that the shingles vaccines currently available in Hong Kong are safe and effective. Some older adults with weakened immune systems may consider getting the shingles vaccine after consulting a doctor to protect themselves from shingles and its complications. The Scientific Committee believes that more local data involving cost-benefit analysis is needed to consider whether the herpes zoster vaccine should be included in the government’s vaccination program in the future.
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2023-09-27 11:43:27
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