15. Is there any guide on enrolment?

Please refer to the following link for a simplified guide on enrolment: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/05_vss_25_26_dr_enrol_and_vacc_order_flow.pdf.

1. When is the vaccination period for seasonal influenza vaccination 2025/26 under VSS?

The 2025/26 VSS will be advanced to 22 September 2025.

2. When is the vaccination period for pneumococcal vaccination under VSS?

Eligible elderly aged 65 years or above can receive pneumococcal vaccination (23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine or 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) throughout the year. The subsidy to receive 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is for elderly with high-risk conditions*.

* 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, HIV/AIDS, or cancer/steroid treatment;
• Chronic neurological conditions that can compromise respiratory functions, the handling of respiratory secretions, increase the risk of aspiration, or those who lack the ability to take care of themselves.

1. Can subsidized persons show only a photocopy of their identity document?

No. Private Doctors have to check the original identity document to verify the person's eligibility.

2. Do I have to make a copy of the identity documents of the subsidized person?

Private Doctors have to check the identity documents of the person, but it is NOT necessary to keep copy of their identity documents.

3. What kinds of identity documents are accepted under the VSS?

Valid identity documents applicable to persons aged 11 years or above include:

• Hong Kong Identity Card@; or

• Certificate of Exemption.

For children aged below 11 years:

• Hong Kong Identity Card@; or
• Hong Kong Birth Certificate indicating the holder’s Hong Kong permanent resident status as “Established”;
• Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Re-entry Permit;
• Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (if the observation page bears the remark "The bearer has the right to return to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provided that the limit of stay in the Region imposed upon the bearer (as endorsed on this document) has not expired", and the limit of stay in Hong Kong is still valid);
• "Permit to Remain in the HKSAR" (ID 235B) showing unconditioned stay in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or that the holder’s limit of stay in Hong Kong is still valid and the Hong Kong Birth Certificate;
• Travel document with endorsement or relevant landing slip (if applicable), showing:
• "Permitted to remain until (date)" or "Permission to remain extended until (date)" (where the limit of stay in Hong Kong is still valid);
• "The holder of this travel document has the right to land in Hong Kong";
• "The holder arrived Hong Kong on (date) and was permitted to land in Hong Kong";
• "Previous conditions of stay are hereby cancelled";
• "Holder’s eligibility for Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card verified";
• "Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region";
• "Unconditional stay in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region had been granted";
• Certificate issued by the Births and Deaths Registry for adopted children indicating that the holder's permanent resident status as "Established".

@ Except for those who obtained a Hong Kong Identity Card by virtue of a previous permission to land or remain in Hong Kong granted to him/ her and such permission has expired or ceased to be valid.

4. Besides the document for identifying Hong Kong resident status, what other documents are required to prove eligibility for VSS?

Private Doctors should check the following additional documents for the following groups and keep a copy of those documents for inspection by DH staff:

• Adolescents aged 18 years or above and attending secondary school in Hong Kong: the Student Handbook / Student Card;
• Persons with intellectual disability: The Registration Card for People with Disabilities (with indication of intellectual disability or mentally retarded) issued by the Labour and Welfare Bureau (Central Registry for Rehabilitation), or a certificate certifying the PID is eligible for VSS issued by a registered doctor or the person in-charge from the designated institutions serving the PID;
• Persons receiving Disability Allowance: The letter issued by the Social Welfare Department for approval of Disability Allowance;
• Persons receiving standard rate of “100% disabled” or “requiring constant attendance” under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme: The “Certificate of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Recipients (for Medical Waivers)” issued before 15 December 2018, or Annex page of valid “Notification of Successful Application” / “Notification of Revision of Assistance” issued by the Social Welfare Department to prove eligibility for CSSA. The person or the parent/guardian is required to sign a self-declaration form provided by the doctor enrolled in the VSS to declare eligibility status as in receipt of standard rate of payment as being certified of 100% disabled or requiring constant attendance under the CSSA scheme.

5. Are all children and adolescents required to provide school attendance proof?

This is applicable only to adolescents aged 18 years or above and attending secondary school in Hong Kong. Scheme Participants have to show the attending doctor the Student Handbook or Student Card and submit a photocopy when use the subsidy.

6. Do I have to make a copy of the identity documents of persons with intellectual disability?

Yes. To be eligible under the VSS, the person must be a Hong Kong resident holding the Registration Card for People with Disabilities (with indication of intellectual disability or mentally retarded) issued by the Labour and Welfare Bureau (Central Registry for Rehabilitation) or a certificate certifying the person is a PID or eligible for VSS issued by a registered doctor or the person in-charge from the designated institutions serving the PID as listed at the website of Education Bureau and Social Welfare Department. The certificate can be issued by the Private Doctor. The sample of the identity documents are shown in the Appendix of the VSS Doctors' Guide at the CHP website. Please refer to the information at https://www.chp.gov.hk/tc/features/41360.html about the designated institutions serving the PID.

You have to check the identity documents of the person of intellectual disability, and keep a copy of the eligible person's Registration Card for People with Disabilities or certificate for inspection by staff of the Government.

7. What kind of documents should persons receiving Disability Allowance present?

The persons receiving Disability Allowance should present the letter issued by the Social Welfare Department informing their successful application of Disability Allowance, and submit a copy to the Private Doctor for keeping. The sample of the letter is shown in the Appendix of the VSS Doctors' Guide available on the Government website.

8. What kind of documents should persons receiving standard rate of “100% disabled” or “requiring constant attendance” under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme present?

The persons receiving standard rate of “100% disabled” or “requiring constant attendance” under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme should present the “Certificate of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Recipients (for Medical Waivers)” which was issued before 15 December 2018, or Annex page of valid “Notification of Successful Application” / “Notification of Revision of Assistance” issued by the Social Welfare Department, and submit a copy to the Private Doctor for keeping. The person or the parent / guardian is required to sign a self-declaration form provided by the doctor enrolled in the VSS to declare his / her eligibility status as in receipt of standard rate of payment as being certified of 100% disabled or requiring constant attendance under the CSSA scheme.

9. Do individuals aged 18 - 49 with specified chronic medical conditions need to submit any documents to support their chronic medical conditions?

Private Doctors should perform health assessments to confirm the presence of specified chronic medical conditions on an eligible person. Doctors should certify in the consent form or record such assessment in the IT Platform (applicable for eConsent). Doctors should also keep medical records for the results.

1. Who should sign the consent form?

For scheme participants aged below 18 or mentally incapacitated, part II and III of the consent form should be signed by their parents or guardians. Other scheme participants can sign the form by themselves. For consent to register eHealth, part IV of the consent form should be signed by Substitute Decision Maker if the vaccine recipient is aged below 16 or aged 16 or above but incapable of giving consent. Please note that mandatory eHealth registration is required for scheme participants aged 18 years or above. Please read the consent form carefully before signing.

For guidelines on obtaining electronic or paper-based consent, please refer to the flowchart provided below.

2. Can grandparents or relatives sign the consent form?

If grandparents or relatives are the child / person's guardians, they can sign the consent form. If not, parents or guardians must complete and sign the consent form beforehand.

3. What is the purpose of requiring scheme participants or their parents/guardians to sign the form?

Scheme participants or their parents/guardians sign the form to indicate that he/she agrees to receive vaccination under VSS, register an eHealth account if such account has not been created, and agree on the statement of purpose of collection of personal data as set out in consent form. The personal data will be transferred to and used by the authorized user(s) or professional parties. Staff of the Government may contact them to enquire about the information related to VSS. Doctors have to keep the forms and related vaccination records for at least 7 years for future inspection, to ensure that public funds are properly used.

4. If the person is illiterate, how can they sign the consent form?

If the person is illiterate, he/she can put a finger print on the space for signature. The process needs to be witnessed by an adult who should put his / her name, Hong Kong Identity Card number and sign on the form as well.

5. If the person is illiterate, can other staff of medical organisations (e.g., nurses) be the witness?

Yes. The witness has to write down his / her name, Hong Kong Identity Card number and sign on the form.

6. If the person forgets to bring valid identity documents but insists on having vaccination with the use of Government subsidy, what should the doctor do?

Explain to the person that subsidised vaccination can only be provided upon presentation of a valid Hong Kong resident identity document and other required documentary proofs.

7. How can mentally incapacitated persons/elderly (including those who are mentally handicapped and mentally disordered) receive subsidized vaccination?

Guardians are given the legal power by the Guardianship Board to make important decisions. For cases with the Director of Social Welfare as the legal guardian, they will be followed up by social workers of the Social Welfare Department.

8. Who should sign the consent form for persons with intellectual disability?

The parents / guardians of the persons with intellectual disability can sign the consent form for persons with intellectual disability under VSS. Regarding persons have no legal guardian, issues concerned are usually handled by their relatives to safeguard the benefit and welfare of the person.

9. Should consent from the scheme participant be obtained when a private doctor searches and retrieves the eHealth or eHS(S) account of the scheme participant?

Private doctor should obtain consent in accordance with Clause 2.11 of VSS Specific Terms and Conditions and search and retrieve the eHealth or eHS(S) account (as the case may be) of such Scheme Participant, or if such account is not yet created, proceed with the creation of an eHealth or eHS(S) account for such Scheme Participant (which the Scheme Participant has given Consent to).

1. What is “Specified VSS Family Doctors”?

“Specified VSS Family Doctors” refers to doctors who have enrolled in both the CDCC Pilot Scheme and the VSS 2025/26.

(To become “Specified VSS Family Doctors”, Doctors are encouraged to enrol in CDCC Pilot Scheme via eHealth before 15 August 2025. Doctors must first joined as family doctors under CDCC Pilot Scheme prior to their enrolment in VSS 2025/26.)

2. What is the process for doctors to indicate their choice of drawing SIV(IIV) through Government contract under the VSS 2025/26?

In the enrolment process of VSS 2025/26 via eHealth, CDCC Family Doctors can indicate their choice of drawing SIV(IIV) from Government contract by 31 August 2025, and must set the co-payment of SIV(IIV) at $0 for all VSS eligible persons.

3. For “Specified VSS Family Doctors” who have opted to draw SIV(IIV) through Government contract, can they set separate co-payment fees for other types of seasonal influenza vaccines, such as live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV) and recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV)?

For other types of seasonal influenza vaccines including LAIV and RIV, “Specified VSS Family Doctors” can set separate co-payment amounts.

4. If “Specified VSS Family Doctors” have opted to draw SIV(IIV) from Government contract under VSS 2025/26, can they purchase SIV(IIV) from the private market?

The option of drawing SIV(IIV) from the Government contract serves as an alternative source of vaccine supply. “Specified VSS Family Doctors” can still choose to purchase SIV(IIV) from the private market. If “Specified VSS Family Doctors” opted to draw SIV(IIV) from Government contract, the co-payment of SIV(IIV) for all VSS eligible persons must be set at $0.

5. How to place an order for the SIV(IIV) from Government contract?

“Specified VSS Family Doctors” should order SIV(IIV) through the eHealth ordering platform. The supplier shall deal with the “Specified VSS Family Doctors” for delivery logistics and payment arrangement directly.

6. What should I do if the vaccines are expired?

Any expired/unserviceable vaccine should be labeled clearly and removed from the refrigerator immediately. Expired/unserviceable vaccines must NOT be administered to clients and should be disposed according to guidelines from the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), available at https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc_sub2.html.

1. What information do the Private Doctors have to check for each person receiving subsidised vaccination?

The Private Doctors have to check the following documentation of the person:

• Hong Kong resident identity document of the person, e.g. Hong Kong Birth Certificate or the Hong Kong Identity Card to confirm that his / her eligible for subsidy.
• Counter-check the consent form to ensure it is legibly and accurately completed and signed by the person or his/her parent/guardian.
• Check the person’s vaccination record in IT platform beforehand. If the person has already used up his/her entitled subsidy, the vaccination subsidy will not be reimbursed.
• If the person is a pregnant woman, the Private Doctors have to sign and confirm her pregnant status at the consent form.
• If the child is aged 18 years or above, the Private Doctors have to check the child's Student Handbook / Student Card and keep a copy.
• If the person is a person with intellectual disability, check his / her Registration Card for People with Disabilities (with indication of intellectual disability or mentally handicap) issued by the Labour and Welfare Bureau (Central Registry for Rehabilitation) or a certificate certifying the person is a PID or eligible for VSS issued by a registered doctor or the person in-charge from the designated institutions serving the PID. And keep a copy.
• For persons receiving Disability Allowance, check the letter issued by the Social Welfare Department informing their successful application of Disability Allowance and keep a copy.
• For persons receiving standard rate of “100% disabled” or “requiring constant attendance” under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme, check the “Certificate of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Recipients (for Medical Waivers)” which was issued before 15 December 2018, or Annex page of valid “Notification of Successful Application” / “Notification of Revision of Assistance” issued by the Social Welfare Department to proof his / her eligibility for CSSA and keep a copy. The person or the parent / guardian is required to sign a self-declaration form provided by the doctor enrolled in the VSS to declare his / her eligibility status as in receipt of standard rate of payment as being certified of 100% disabled or requiring constant attendance under the CSSA scheme.
• If the person is aged 18 to under 50 and has specified chronic medical conditions, the Private Doctors have to sign and confirm his/her specified chronic medical conditions at the consent form or in the eHealth.
• If an eligible elderly with high-risk conditions receives 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV15), the Private Doctors have to sign and confirm his/her high-risk conditions at the consent form or in the eHealth.

2. Children under 9 years old who have never received any seasonal influenza vaccine are recommended to be given 2 doses of seasonal influenza vaccine. How many consent form(s) should Private Doctors collect for each child receiving subsidised vaccination?

The doctor has to collect one completed and signed consent form for each vaccination given (i.e., two consent forms are needed for two vaccinations given to the same child).

3. How much is the VSS subsidy?

The subsidy is $260 for each dose of seasonal influenza vaccine. A maximum of two doses will be subsidised for children aged under 9 years who have never received influenza vaccine before. Persons aged 9 years or above; or children who have received one or more doses of influenza vaccines in previous seasons will be entitled to have subsidy for only one dose in 2025/26.

The subsidy for pneumococcal vaccinations for elderly aged 65 years or above is as follows:

• Those without high-risk conditions and have not received pneumococcal vaccination before, can receive subsidy for one dose of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (23vPPV);
• Those with high-risk conditions and have not received pneumococcal vaccination before, can receive subsidy for one dose of 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV15) and subsidy for one dose of 23vPPV one year after;
• Those with high-risk conditions and have received 23vPPV before, can receive subsidy for one dose of PCV15 one year after the previous dose of 23vPPV;
• Those with high-risk conditions and have received PCV13/PCV15 before, can receive subsidy for one dose of 23vPPV one year after the previous dose of PCV13/PCV15.

The subsidy level for SIV is HK$ 260 per dose, the subsidy level for 23vPPV is HK$400 per dose, the subsidy level for PCV15 is HK$800 per dose.

* 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.

4. Can I start giving subsidised vaccination service after I have submitted an enrolment application for VSS?

No. A doctor may start giving subsidised vaccinations only after he/she receives confirmation of enrolment from Programme Office, which may take up to 14 working days after Programme Office receives the enrolment application.

5. How to ensure timely reimbursement of the claim?

In order to ensure processing of claim reimbursement in time:

• Please input claim through the system immediately. Late submission should be avoided as far as possible as scheme participants expect to receive SMS onsite. System can only accept claims made WITHIN SEVEN CALENDAR DAYS after the delivery of vaccination service;
• Claim should be made only after vaccination is provided; and
• For vaccination service in clinic setting or in non-clinic setting, keep proper vaccination record for claims to be submitted for reimbursement.

6. How do I know the claim is reimbursed?

Claims will be checked by the Programme Office and a monthly statement will be sent to doctor through the system.

7. Can a Private Doctor request for payment in cash or in cheque?

No. The Government can only provide direct payment to the nominated bank account.

8. When will the Government pay the Private Doctor?

Reimbursement of the claims would be performed on a monthly basis. At the end of the month, the system will generate payment files based on the transaction claims logged for processing reimbursement. Reimbursement will be paid directly into the accounts designated by the Private Doctor.

9. Will the Government perform routine checking?

Yes. To ensure that public funds are properly used, the Government will perform routine post-payment checking. Government staff will collect and screen the consent forms kept at the clinics (to be kept at least 7 years), and other clinic records if necessary. Government staff may call the scheme participants / parents / guardians to enquire about the information related to the VSS.

10. How do I know if the Government performs the post-payment checking?

The Government will make an appointment with the Private Doctor via phone. The Government staff will show their staff identity proof when attending to the clinic. Doctors can also call VSS Doctors' Line 2125 2299 for verifying purpose.

11. How can doctors seek assistance if they encounter technical issues on eHealth registration and update of profile information?

Doctors can call the hotline of the Electronic Health Record Registration Office at 3467 6230 for technical support for eHealth registration and request changes to their profile information.

1. What can I do if I discover inaccuracies in the information I entered after completing the enrolment process?

If your enrolment status on eHealth is shown as “pending verification”, you can still amend the information online.

However, if the status is “verified”, you will not be able to make changes online. Please send the details of the required amendments by email to vssdoctor@healthbureau.gov.hk for assistance.

2. Is there a deadline for setting the co-payment fee during enrolment?

It is advisable for doctors to set the co-payment fee during the online enrolment. Moreover, once the enrolment is confirmed (the status is “verified”), the co-payment fee cannot be further revised during the Vaccination Period.

3. If I want to withdraw from VSS after enrollment, what should I do?

If a Private Doctor wants to withdraw from VSS, he should notify the Government in writing. Upon receiving the notification, we will contact the doctor for confirmation and request the doctor to destroy and dispose of the logo and mini-poster.

4. Can I transfer the VSS logo, mini-poster and authentication token to some other doctor?

No. These items are materials of the Scheme issued to the designated Private Doctor and are not transferable.

5. Can relieving doctor give subsidised vaccination while the original doctor is out of clinic?

The relieving doctor who have enrolled in VSS, if submitting through his eHealth account as outreach, will have claimed the subsidy to the relieving doctor. The Government would not help alter payment destination in these cases. Doctors should only make claims on days where they attend the clinic.

1. What is the Continuing Medical Education (CME) / Primary Care Directory (PCD) requirement for enrolment in VSS?

Being listed in PCD is required.
Doctors who were not on list the PCD will have to wait for PCD status update before enrolment in VSS can be further proceeded.
If a private doctor fails to maintain listing in PCD, his/her VSS enrolment may be temporarily suspended until he/she fulfils PCD’s requirement and is listed in PCD again.

2. I did not accumulate sufficient CME points and Primary Healthcare Commission (PHCC) inactivated my PCD account. Would this affect my VSS enrolment in 2025/26 season?

If your PCD account is inactivated, your VSS enrolment in 2025/26 would be affected. You are advised to reactivate your PCD account once you have accumulated sufficient CME points.

3. My VSS enrolment is currently suspended as my PCD account has been inactivated. How can I re-enrol in VSS?

Once you have accumulated sufficient CME points, you can apply for reactivation of your PCD account. For more details, please visit the website of the PCD at https://apps.pcdirectory.gov.hk/PCD_SP/EN/ReactivationAccount_Maint_RMP.htm. After you have successfully reactivated your PCD account, you can proceed with VSS enrolment.

4. Who can enrol in the PCD?

To be eligible for enrolment in the PCD, doctors must be:

1. a registered medical practitioner holding a valid practising certificate issued under the Medical Registration Ordinance (Cap. 161); and
2. committed to the provision of directly accessible, comprehensive, continuing and coordinated person-centred primary care services.

For more details, please read the Terms and Conditions, Enrolment Guide and Demonstration of Enrolment Procedure of the PCD at https://apps.pcdirectory.gov.hk/SP/Main/Main.aspx.

5. How many CME points are required to maintain listing in the PCD?

To maintain listing in the PCD,

1. specialists have to be listed in the Specialist Register of the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK) (http://www.mchk.org.hk/english/list_register/specialist_list.php) and comply with the CME requirements relevant to the specialty as may be determined by the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine; or
2. non-specialists have to participate in the "CME Programme for Practising Doctors who are not taking CME Programme for Specialists" approved by the MCHK and their CME status is checked against the lists of doctors with valid title of "CME-Certified" (http://www.mchk.org.hk/english/cme/cme_certified_title.html) and the lists of doctors awarded with CME Certificates for any one of the three years preceding the checking (http://www.mchk.org.hk/english/cme/cme_certificates_ended.html)

For more details on MCHK CME Programme, please refer to the MCHK website at http://www.mchk.org.hk/english/cme/index.html. Please note that the Guidelines on Credit Point System of the MCHK CME Programme specifies that a maximum of 20 credit points can be awarded for self-study per year. Primary Healthcare Commission (PHCC) of the Health Bureau conducts regular checking of CME status of Private Doctors against relevant lists published on the website of MCHK. Those doctors not fulfilling the maintenance requirements will be subject to inactivation of accounts in the PCD. For more details, please visit the website of PCD (http://www.pcdirectory.gov.hk). If you have any enquiries on PCD, please contact the PHCC at 3576 3658 or email to phcc@healthbureau.gov.hk.

6. Why is CME needed for enrolment in VSS?

This is to enhance the quality of service provision and to encourage continuous quality improvement through continuing medical education.