1. What is Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS)?
Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS) is a scheme that provides subsidised seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccination to eligible Hong Kong residents through the participation of private doctors. The Government reimburses subsidy to enrolled doctors for providing vaccinations to eligible persons. On top of Government's subsidy, enrolled doctors may impose extra charge for the vaccination. VSS in 2023/24 covers the following eligible groups for seasonal influenza vaccination:
- Pregnant women;
- Elderly aged 65 years or above;
- Persons aged between 50 and 64 years;
- Children aged between 6 months and below 18 years, or children aged 18 years or above who are studying at a secondary school in Hong Kong;
- Persons with intellectual disability (PID);
- Persons receiving Disability Allowance; and
- Recipients of standard rate of “100% disabled” or “requiring constant attendance” under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme
Eligible persons may receive subsidised influenza vaccination from private doctors who have enrolled into the Scheme, with subsidy of $260 per dose. Two doses of influenza vaccines are required for a child aged under 9 years if he/she has not been vaccinated against influenza before.
Besides, eligible elderly aged 65 or above can also get Government subsidy for pneumococcal vaccination (available throughout the year). The subsidy level of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (23vPPV) is HK$400 per dose, the subsidy level of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is HK$800 per dose, and the subsidy level of 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV15) is HK$800 per dose. Details are as follows:
Elderly aged 65 years or above Have not received any pneumococcal vaccination Have received 23vPPV Have received PCV13/PCV15 Have received both PCV13/PCV15 and 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/PCV15 followed by one dose of 23vPPV one year after Subsidise one mop-up dose of PCV13/PCV15 one year after the previous 23vPPV Subsidise one dose of 23vPPV one year after the previous PCV13/PCV15 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.
Eligible persons can get subsidised influenza vaccination starting from 28 Septermber 2023. As it usually takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against seasonal influenza virus, eligible persons are advised to visit participating private medical doctors' clinics for vaccination as early as possible to protect from the possible winter influenza season.
Eligible elderly can receive pneumococcal vaccination from an enrolled doctor at any time throughout the year.
3. Where can the public get information of VSS?
The public can browse the Centre for Health Protection website or call 2125 2125 for information on VSS.
4. Where can I get the "Consent to Use Vaccination Subsidy" form under the VSS?
You may download the "Consent to Use Vaccination Subsidy" form directly from the Centre for Health Protection website; a copy can also be obtained at the enrolled clinics. You can also complete and sign the "Consent to Use Vaccination Subsidy" form printed out at the enrolled clinic after your / your child's personal information has been entered into the eHealth System (Subsidies).
5. Can I receive free/subsidised seasonal influenza vaccination?
The following eligible groups can receive free seasonal influenza vaccination in the public sector under Government Vaccination Programme:
- Elderly: Hong Kong residents aged 65 years or above
- Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients or Hong Kong residents holding a valid Certificate for Waiver of Medical Charges issued by the Social Welfare Department:
- Persons aged between 50 and less than 65 years
- Persons aged less than 50 years with high-risk conditions attending public clinics
- Persons aged between 12 and less than 50 years receiving standard rate of "100% disabled" or "requiring constant attendance"
- Children aged between 6 months and less than 18 years
- Children aged between 6 months and less than 18 years or studying at a secondary school in Hong Kong
- Pregnant women
- Persons with high-risk conditions:
- Paediatric out-patients with high-risk conditions or on long-term aspirin therapy
- In-patients under Hospital Authority (HA)
- Disability Allowance recipients or persons with intellectual disability who are existing clients of HA, clinics of Department of Health (DH), designated day centres, sheltered workshops or special schools
- Other persons:
- Residents of Residential Care Homes (such as Residential Care Homes for the Elderly or Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities)
- Children aged between 6 months and less than 12 years at Residential Child Care Centres
- Non-institutionalised Persons with Intellectual Disability (PID) receiving services in designated institutions
- Healthcare workers working in DH, HA, Residential Care Homes ( such as Residential Care Homes for the Elderly or Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities) or Residential Child Care Centres, or other Government Departments
- Poultry workers
- Pig farmers and pig-slaughtering industry personnel
For more information about the Government Vaccination Programme and the designated clinics, please visit the Centre for Health Protection website.
Besides free vaccination, the Government provides subsidised seasonal influenza vaccination for the following eligible groups of Hong Kong residents under Vaccination Subsidy Scheme:
For more information about the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme, please visit the Centre for Health Protection website.
- Pregnant women
- Persons aged 50 years or above
- Children and adolescents aged six months to under 18 years; or secondary schools students in Hong Kong
- Persons with intellectual disability
- Disability Allowance recipients
- Recipients of standard rate of “100% disabled” or “requiring constant attendance” under the CSSA Scheme
6. Can elderly get the pneumococcal vaccination at a public clinic?
Elderly aged 65 or above with high-risk conditions* attending public clinics, or receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance or holding valid Certificate for Waiver of Medical Charges issued by SWD, can get free pneumococcal vaccination under Government Vaccination Programme at public clinics. All elderly aged 65 or above can receive subsidised pneumococcal vaccination at enrolled private doctors’ clinics.
* 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.
7. How can I / my child open an eHealth (Subsidies) service recipient account?
The VSS enrolled doctor will create an eHealth (Subsidies) account for you / your child when you / your child get subsidised vaccination. The registration is voluntary and free.