Recommended Vaccinations

This is the vaccine schedule that we use at OT&P. We vaccinate against all diseases recommended by the

Hong Kong Government. We also include vaccines given as routine in other countries but not yet given in Hong Kong. When travelling in the region other vaccines may be necessary so check with your doctor at least 6 weeks before you intend to travel.

Remember that these requirements can change from time to time and that the length of time that effectiveness of a vaccine lasts varies from vaccine to vaccine. Don't forget to have your booster vaccines: if you think that you may forget then ask your doctor to send a reminder.

For up-to-date advice on travel alerts and country specific information please contact our clinic directly.

Immunisation regimes are slightly different in different parts of the world. Sometimes this is due to a higher incidence of a particular disease such as the BCG which is given in Hong Kong to protect babies against Tuberculosis. Usually, the differences in vaccination schedules are due to administrative issues in particular countries. Slight differences to the timing of vaccination between countries are not usually significant.

We use the vaccination schedule below. If you would prefer, we are happy to maintain the same schedule as your home country. Please discuss with your doctor any queries or concerns you may have relating to vaccination.

Birth

Hepatitis B 

Tuberculosis (BCG)

·        BCG may give a reaction about 6 weeks after the vaccination. A pustule develops which may discharge. We recommend the BCG for new arrivals to Hong Kong up to the age of 5 years.

2 months

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis / Haemophilus Influenza type B / Polio

[DTaP/HIB/Polio]

Hepatitis B

Streptococcus Pneumonia

·        Contraindications to Whole Cell Pertussus (Whooping cough) Vaccination: Fever, 1st degree relative with epilepsy, neurological illness, allergy. Large local reaction to previous shot ie. crying and screaming. Acellular Pertusis (DTaP ) vaccine has roughly half the side effects. We always offer acellular pertussus.

·        Polio Injected polio vaccine (Salk) is now used in the USA as polio from the oral vaccine (one in two million doses) is now more common than wild polio. We use injected polio vaccine. 

·        HIB Feverish illness in the first 48 hours can occur. Can also be given at 2, 4 and 12 months.

4 months

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis / Haemophilus Influenza type B / Polio

[DTaP/HIB/Polio]

Streptococcus Pneumonia

6 months

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis / Haemophilus Influenza type B / Polio

[DTaP/HIB/Polio]

Hepatitis B

Streptococcus Pneumonia

12 months

Meningitis C

[Meningococcal disease by stereotype c]

Streptococcus Pneumonia

15 months

Measles / Mumps / Rubella  (MMR)

·        Fever can occur about a week later and resembles a mild measles +/- rash. Not to be given if: feverish illness within the past 2 weeks, 1st degree relative with epilepsy, neurological disease

18 months

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis / Haemophilus Influenza type B / Polio

[DTaP/HIB/Polio]

·        All countries except the UK give this booster (including HK)

5 years

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis /Polio

[DTaP/ Polio]

Measles / Mumps / Rubella (MMR)

15 years

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis/Polio

[dTaP/Polio]

OR

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio

[dT-IPV]

Optional

From 6 weeks

Rotavirus

(2 doses - 4 weeks apart must be completed by 24 weeks)

Optional

Hepatitis A

(2 doses 6 months apart)

·        Havrix 720 can be given to children over 1 year up to 18 years of age. A booster is given anytime between 6 and 12 months after single dose.
New arrivals or children over one year can have the combined Hepatitis A and B vaccine. This is not yet licensed under one year of age.

·        All adults and children living in Hong Kong should be up-to-date in their Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines.

Optional

From 1 year

Chicken Pox (Varicella)

(From 1 year to 12 years - 1 dose 13 years and over - 2 doses with interval of 6-10 weeks)

·        During the first 5 weeks post vaccination, a few small vesicles may erupt (less than 10). A low-grade fever can also exist for up to 6 weeks.

·        Chickenpox is usually a mild illness. It can be treated with acyclovir which halves both the length and severity of the illness when started early. We offer acyclovir to the second and subsequent children in a household as these may get chickenpox worse than the first case.

Information on the Hong Kong Childhood immunization programme can be found on the Hong Kong Government Center for Health Protection: http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/17982.html

And information on the Australian Childhood Immunisation Schedule can be found here:

http://immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/nips2

Both Hong Kong and the Australian Government websites have a helpful FAQ section