Flu Vaccines in Hong Kong: Where to Go and How Much Does It Cost?

The 2026/27 government flu vaccination programs started on 17 September 2026. Hong Kong residents in eligible groups get the flu shot free or subsidized: children and adolescents aged 6 months to under 18, people aged 50 or above, pregnant women and adults aged 18 to 49 with chronic conditions, among others. At private doctors in the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme, the government pays HK$260 per dose and the doctor may charge a co-payment on top. Everyone else pays the private price, for example HK$250 for the 2026/27 trivalent vaccine at Quality HealthCare.

When to get it: flu activity in Hong Kong is usually highest from January to April, and some years have a second peak around July or August. The government's vaccine experts say October or November is the best time to get vaccinated. Your body needs about two weeks after the shot to build protection, so get it before the winter season starts. Hong Kong has been in a flu season since late June 2026, so the earlier the better this year.

Which flu vaccines are used in 2026/27?

All flu vaccines recommended for the 2026/27 season in Hong Kong are trivalent: they protect against three strains. The CHP's Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases says any locally registered trivalent vaccine can be used: an injected inactivated vaccine, a nasal spray (live attenuated) vaccine or an injected recombinant vaccine.

The government bought about 1.3 million doses for its programs:

The 2026/27 strains are A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like, A/Darwin/1454/2025 (H3N2)-like (A/Darwin/1415/2025 in cell-based and recombinant vaccines) and a B/Victoria lineage strain. Use of the nasal spray is growing: more than 48,000 doses were given in 2025/26, up from 27,000 in 2024/25.

Most people need one dose a year. Children under 9 who have never had a flu vaccine need two doses at least 4 weeks apart.

Why is getting a flu shot important?

Hong Kong entered a flu season in late June 2026, driven mainly by influenza A (H1). By 10 September 2026 the CHP had recorded 19 severe flu cases in children since the season began, including one death. CHP data from last season shows why the shot matters: unvaccinated children had about five times the rate of severe complications or death after catching flu, compared with vaccinated children. For care home residents aged 65 or above, the rate of severe complications was about four times higher without the vaccine.

As a reminder, the most common flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle pain, fatigue and headache. The flu is highly contagious. It spreads via contact with infected people through droplets from coughing, sneezing and talking.

Another important reason to get your flu vaccine is to run a lower risk of being hospitalized.

Important: Many doctors and health care professionals are urging people to get the flu vaccine as early as possible this year. Please do not wait for flu cases to reach their annual peak before you get vaccinated. The flu shot takes up to two weeks to reach peak effectiveness, so try to get it early.

Where to get a flu shot in HK and How much does it cost?

Who can get a free or subsidized flu shot in 2026/27?

You must be a Hong Kong resident with a valid identity document. Adults aged 18 or above must also be registered with eHealth.

The Government Vaccination Programme gives free vaccination to eligible groups. Public venues this season include 76 Hospital Authority family medicine clinics and 38 public hospitals, 29 Maternal and Child Health Centres (for children aged 6 months to under 2), and 45 District Health Centre venues. Subsidized vaccination under the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS) is given by more than 1,200 private doctors at more than 1,900 service points.

How to get your free or subsidized flu shot

1. Check that you are in an eligible group (table above).

2. If you are 18 or older, register for eHealth first. You can do it in the eHealth app.

3. Pick a venue. For a private doctor, find one in the VSS doctor list, which also shows each doctor's co-payment. For children aged 6 months to under 2 at a Maternal and Child Health Centre, book online.

4. New in 2026/27: you can submit the consent form in the eHealth app (e-consent) before your visit at a VSS clinic.

5. Bring your Hong Kong ID card or other identity document on the day.

Questions: CHP hotline 2125 2125 (office hours), or the CHP Vaccination Schemes page.

Flu shots at private doctors and clinics

If you are eligible (VSS): the government pays the doctor HK$260 per dose. The doctor may charge you a co-payment on top, and each doctor's co-payment is listed in the VSS doctor list. Some VSS doctors who use vaccines supplied through the government contract must set the co-payment for the injected vaccine at HK$0.

If you are not eligible, for example a healthy adult aged 18 to 49, or a visitor without Hong Kong resident status, you pay the clinic's own price. Prices are set by each clinic and change by season. One example for 2026/27: Quality HealthCare lists its trivalent flu vaccine at HK$250 for anyone aged 6 months or above, for vaccination between 7 September 2026 and 28 February 2027 (not under VSS). Ask before you book whether the price includes the doctor's consultation, which some clinics charge separately.

Private hospitals also give flu shots. Check the price with the hospital, as many publish their seasonal offer only on their own site. See our guide to private hospitals in Hong Kong.

Are flu vaccines covered by health insurance?

Whether you have coverage through work/group health insurance or on an individual basis, you may be covered for flu vaccination. Check your outpatient coverage and look for vaccination or wellbeing benefits. Vaccination benefits usually have an annual limit, and there may be a waiting period before you can claim for them. Alea compares more than 50 insurers; see our comparison of medical insurance in Hong Kong.