The Health Bureau (SSM) announced in a statement yesterday that high-risk residents, as well as certain non-resident workers (NRWs), can receive free flu vaccines starting next Tuesday.
The bureau emphasised that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza. It reduces the risk of infection and complications, and lowers the risk of hospitalisation and death among high-risk individuals, the statement said. It added that to ensure an adequate vaccine supply, the Health Bureau has procured 215,000 doses of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine this year, produced by three pharmaceutical companies (Abbott Laboratories, Sanofi, and GSK). All the vaccines comply with the composition recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and can effectively protect against two strains of influenza A and one strain of influenza B, the statement noted.
The various batches of vaccines will be delivered to Macau progressively; the first batch has already arrived and passed acceptance inspection, and the bureau is now rolling out this year’s vaccination programme, according to the statement.
The Health Bureau reminded the public in the statement that the antigen composition of the 2026–2027 seasonal influenza vaccine has been updated and is expected to provide a better match for the viruses circulating this winter. As it generally takes about two to three weeks after vaccination for sufficient antibodies to develop, the bureau urges high-risk groups – including pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses – to complete their vaccination before the winter influenza peak.
The following groups are eligible for priority vaccination:
Macau residents: Persons aged 6 months to under 18; persons aged 50 or above; pregnant and breastfeeding women; all persons with chronic illnesses; persons who are obese (i.e. those with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or above); and employees working in integrated tourism and leisure enterprises.
Macau residents and NRWs working at the following institutions: students and teaching staff of nurseries, kindergartens, primary, secondary, and higher education institutions; service users and staff of residential care homes; healthcare workers; public sector employees; border checkpoint staff; and cross-border passenger transport staff.
This image provided by the Health Bureau (SSM) yesterday urges members of the public to receive their annual flu jab; translation from Chinese arranged by the Post.
