For Hongkongers who love traveling to Japan and other popular destinations, the threat of measles might be closer than you think! According to the Centre for Health Protection, there were 9 confirmed measles cases in Hong Kong as of September 2024, with patients having visited Mainland China and Southeast Asia before symptoms appeared. Whether traveling for leisure or business, it’s crucial to take preventive steps, especially with current measles outbreaks in Japan, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand and parts of the United States. Measles is highly contagious, so make sure you’re protected before traveling.
In 2019, Hong Kong’s airport and community experienced a measles outbreak. Shoebill Health Care was the designated service provider for the "Free Measles Vaccination Mop-up Programme" in the Hong Kong Island area. We helped administer over 60,000 MMR vaccines, helping curb the outbreak’s spread.
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection, mainly transmitted through coughing, sneezing or close contact with an infected person. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose and a full-body rash. Measles can lead to serious complications, even fatal ones, can affect people of all ages. Therefore, Taking precautions is essential.
Measles is primarily airborne, so along with maintaining personal and environmental hygiene, vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent it. Under "Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme", children receive 2 doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, which provides 97% immunity, offering lifelong protection for most.
Anyone born between 1967 and 2002, who lacks immunity and frequently travels to high-risk areas like Mainland China, Southeast Asia or Africa, should consider vaccination. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that individuals without immunity or an unclear vaccination history receive 2 doses of the measles vaccine. Those who’ve had 1 dose in the past can receive a booster shot. Check your vaccination records to see if you need to get vaccinated.
Currently, all measles vaccines registered in Hong Kong are combined vaccines. At Shoebill, we offer 2 effective measles vaccines: GSK’s Priorix MMR vaccine and MSD’s ProQuad MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella) vaccine. Both vaccines offer effective protection against measles, with a minimum interval of 4 weeks between the 2 doses. Due to the recurring measles outbreaks, vaccine supply at private clinics has occasionally been limited. For those in need, it’s best to get vaccinated early. Feel free to reach out to our medical team for more details.
If you’re planning to travel, consider visiting Shoebill Co-Traveller - Travel Health Management Center for vaccination. We are the Hong Kong’s first private travel health clinic, offering professional travel health consultations and vaccinations tailored to both individuals and groups. Our team holds accredited professional qualifications and is listed in the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) Global Travel Clinic Directory. With Shoebill, safeguard your health and enjoy your journey worry-free!
Reference:
Communicable Diseases: Measles (Centre for Health Protection, 2023) Measles (WHO, 2024)