Government Vaccination Subsidy Scheme：
FAQs - Pneumococcal

1. 。Influenza
2. 。Pneumococcal
3. 。FAQ

Since 2009, the Government has been providing one dose of subsidised 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccination (23vPPV) to Hong Kong residents aged 65 years or above who have never received pneumococcal vaccination before.

To strengthen the prevention of pneumococcal infection, starting in 2017/18, Government has been providing subsidy for one dose of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and subsidy for one dose of 23vPPV one year after to elderly aged 65 years or above who have high-risk conditions.

The VSS for pneumococcal vaccination runs throughout the year. In VSS 2021/22, the subsidy level is $300 per dose of 23vPPV and $760 per dose of PCV13. The doctor may impose extra fees, some doctors may not charge extra fees.

Types of subsidised pneumococcal vaccinations to be administered to elderly aged 65 or above are as follow:

Elderly aged 65 years or above	Have not received any pneumococcal vaccination	Have received 23vPPV	Have received PCV13	Have received bothPCV13 & 23vPPV
Without high-risk conditions*	Subsidise one dose of 23vPPV	No vaccination needed	No vaccination needed	No vaccination needed
With high-risk conditions*	Subsidise one dose of PCV13 followed by one dose of 23vPPV one year after	Subsidise one mop-up dose of PCV13 one year after the previous 23vPPV	Subsidise one mop-up dose of 23vPPV one year after the previous PCV13	No vaccination needed

*High-risk conditions include :

• History of invasive pneumococcal disease, cerebrospinal fluid leakage or cochlear implant;
• Chronic cardiovascular (except hypertension without complications), lung, liver or kidney diseases;
• Metabolic diseases including diabetes mellitus or obesity (Body Mass Index 30 or above);
• Immunocompromised states related to weakened immune system due to conditions such as asplenia, Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or cancer/steroid treatment; and
• Chronic neurological conditions that can compromise respiratory functions or the handling of respiratory secretions, or increase the risk of aspiration, or those who lack the ability to take care of themselves.

The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases under the Centre for Health Protection has recommended eligible persons to receive yearly seasonal influenza vaccination and elderly to receive pneumococcal vaccination because of their higher disease-related complication risk and hospitalisation rate. The latest recommendations can be viewed at: https://www.chp.gov.hk/tc/view_content/46199.html

Source: Centre for Health Protection
last update : 6 Sept 2021