Chickenpox threat in Hong Kong as vaccine runs out
Suppliers blame a sudden rise in demand; doctor says 1 in 3 children he inoculates are mainlanders afraid about fake drugs back home
Children may be left vulnerable to chickenpox infection as the city runs short of vaccine. One supplier blamed the shortage on a sudden increase in demand and said it had been out of stock since January.
Doctors Union president Dr Henry Yeung Chiu-fat said he had seen a surge in mainland demand for injections. It follows the death of a five-year-old boy in a fake vaccine scandal in Guangxi province two years ago.
Secretary for the Food and Health Bureau Dr Ko Wing-man confirmed the vaccine shortage yesterday. "Some private doctors have found it difficult to purchase more. The government has already taken action to contact the supplier. They have given us their promise to supply more as soon as possible."
Some private doctors have found it difficult to purchase more. The government has already taken action to contact the supplier. They have given us their promise to supply more as soon as possible
The government decided last year to provide chickenpox vaccines Childhood Immunisation Programme starting from 2014. Currently, parents have to pay between HK$400 and HK$1,000 per dose.
The Health Department's Centre for Health Protection suggests children are vaccinated at 12 months of age and again at about 12 years old.
Dr Henry Yeung Chiu-fat said one in three of the patients he vaccinates against chickenpox at his private practice comes from the mainland.
Fake medicine scandals have occurred frequently on the mainland. The young Guangzi victim who was given fake shots died of rabies after being bitten by a dog.
