The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority: The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) said today (June 23) that since the performance of Aggressive Construction Company Limited (ACCL) in respect of thre… read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (June 23) that the third phase (i.e. the final phase) of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Catch-up Programme (the Programme) will commence this Thursday (June 26) as planned. Female Hong Kong residents born between 2004 and 2008 who have not completed their HPV vaccination only need to register with eHealth first, after which they can make an appointment for an HPV vaccination through the website or telephone number of the Women Wellness Satellites (WWS) under the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHCC) of the Health Bureau (HHB).
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The Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui said, “In Hong Kong, cervical cancer was the ninth most common cancer among women in 2022, with 522 new cases and 167 deaths. The HPV vaccine is highly effective in preventing the high-risk types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer. Following the recommendations of the World Health Organization, the DH launched the first phase of Programme in December last year to provide free vaccination for female full-time students studying in Secondary Five or above (including secondary sections of special schools). As of June 8, the coverage rate for the first dose of the HPV vaccine in the first phase of the Programme has exceeded 80 per cent. The second phase has begun in mid-March this year, offering free HPV vaccination to female Hong Kong residents born between 2004 and 2008 who are currently studying at local post-secondary institutions. All post-secondary institutions have participated.”
Under the final phase of the Programme, all female Hong Kong residents born between 2004 and 2008 who are not currently studying and have not completed their HPV vaccination only need to register with eHealth first, after which they can make an appointment through the website or telephone number of the WWS under the PHCC of the HHB for free vaccination at the WWS and its service points, or designated District Health Centre (DHC)/Express (E). Appointments can be made starting today by calling the WWS at 2855 1333 or through its website (www.wws.org.hk/vaccine) to receive free HPV vaccine at the WWS and its service points, or designated DHC/E. In addition, eligible female students who were unable to participate in the school vaccination activities during the first two phases can also arrange appointments through the WWS as mentioned above.
Moreover, eligible female secondary students studying Secondary Five or above who missed their vaccination at school can also call the School Immunisation Teams’ sub-offices and Student Health Service Centres of the DH to make appointments for free HPV vaccination. On the other hand, eligible female students in post-secondary institutions can refer to the CHP’s website for the schedules of catch-up activities of the institutions.
Dr Tsui emphasised that this Programme is a one-off special arrangement, and reminded eligible female Hong Kong residents that the Programme will enter its final phase and will cease by the end of next year. The public should seize this opportunity to receive the vaccine for free to prevent cervical cancer early. Eligible female Hong Kong residents who do not participate in the Programme may need to pay for vaccination themselves in the future.
Members of the public who wish to obtain more information about the Programme, including the addresses of the vaccination points, can visit the thematic webpage of the CHP. read more
The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (June 23).
The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.
For further information, please call the department’s hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.
The heat shelters are located at:
Hong Kong Island:
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Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
Kowloon:
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Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
New Territories:
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Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai
In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf. read more
​The Lands Department (LandsD) announced today (June 23) that a site, Tuen Mun Town Lot No. 569 at Hoi Chu Road, Tuen Mun, New Territories, in the 2025-26 Land Sale List, will be disposed of by public tender. The tender … read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 23) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and reminded the public of the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.
From June 15 to 21, the CHP recorded six LD cases. Among these, one was an imported case, and five were community-acquired cases.
The details of the imported case are as follows:
1. A 63-year-old male patient with underlying illnesses, who travelled to the Mainland during the incubation period.
The details of the community-acquired cases are as follows:
1. A 62-year-old female patient with underlying illnesses living in Kowloon City District;
2. A 58-year-old female patient with underlying illnesses living in Yuen Long District;
3. A 64-year-old male patient with underlying illnesses living in Yau Tsim Mong District;
4. A 77-year-old male patient with underlying illnesses living in Kwai Tsing District; and
5. A 52-year-old male patient with underlying illnesses living in Yuen Long District.
The CHP is conducting epidemiological investigations to identify potential sources of infection and high-risk exposure. Initial investigation revealed that all six cases are sporadic cases. No epidemiological linkages have been established between these case and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong.
As of June 21, 67 LD cases had been recorded this year. In 2024 and 2023, there were 135 and 121 LD cases respectively.
Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels.
Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus that support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.
Immunocompromised persons should:
· Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
· Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices; and
· If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers’ instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.
The public should observe the health advice below:
· Observe personal hygiene;
· Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
· Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
· If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer’s recommendations;
· Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
· Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
· Seek and follow doctors’ professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
· When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:
1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.
​​The public may visit the CHP’s LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP’s risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD. read more