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Hong Kong might face Covid and flu spike in upcoming winter season: Experts

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 24 Sep 2022, 12:38 pm Print

Hong Kong might face Covid and flu spike in upcoming winter season: Experts Hong Kong

Representational image from file by VOA Chinese via Wikimedia Commons

Hong Kong: Winter season is fast approaching in Hong Kong and added to it the country might soon be facing the double strike of  Covid-19 and seasonal flu, experts fear.

In a press briefing after receiving their fourth Covid-19 vaccine shot and a flu jab at the government’s general outpatient clinic in Sai Wan Ho on Thursday, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau and top officials under him revealed the influenza vaccination drive would start on October 6, with a million doses already procured, reports South China Morning Post.

“Both jabs can be taken at the same time … It’s very convenient and we felt very good after resting for 15 minutes,” Lo said, before delivering his stark message.

“A lot of statistics have shown that co-infection of Covid-19 and flu will lead to a very high risk of severe illness and death.”

Lo said mask-wearing and social-distancing practices in the past two years of the pandemic had kept flu rates low, adding: “But because of that, residents’ immunity to flu has fallen a lot … I urge all residents to get vaccinated before the winter surge.”