Government vaccine funding is split into several separate schemes by age and risk, each with its own eligibility rules, location, and cost.
Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme (HKCIP)
This is where most Hong Kong children start. From birth through secondary school, the government provides a series of free vaccines protecting against tuberculosis (BCG), hepatitis B, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, pneumococcal disease, measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
Children aged 0 to 5 are vaccinated at Maternal and Child Health Centres. For primary school children, the Department of Health's School Immunisation Teams deliver the vaccines at school.
HPV vaccine (Primary 5 and 6 girls)
HPV vaccine has been part of the childhood programme since the 2019/20 school year. Primary 5 girls get the first dose and the second after they move up to Primary 6, all free.
There's also a one-off HPV catch-up programme for females born between 2004 and 2008, run in three phases from 2024 to 2026, offering two free doses.
Boys aren't currently included in the publicly funded HPV programme and would need to pay privately.
Government Vaccination Programme (GVP)
This route targets high-risk groups with free seasonal flu and pneumococcal vaccination. Eligible people include elderly in residential care, pregnant women, people with chronic illness, healthcare workers, poultry and pig-trade workers, and children and adolescents receiving CSSA or holding a medical fee waiver certificate. Pneumococcal vaccination for the elderly runs year-round.
Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS)
If you don't qualify for free vaccination but fall into a subsidised group, you can get vaccinated through a participating private doctor, with the government covering part of the cost. For 2025/26 the subsidy is HK$260 per dose for flu vaccine, HK$400 per dose for the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, and HK$800 per dose for the 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. You pay the difference between the doctor's fee and the subsidy.
On pneumococcal vaccines, VSS currently subsidises the 23-valent polysaccharide and 15-valent conjugate vaccines. Other pneumococcal vaccines (such as the 13-valent or 20-valent conjugate vaccines) aren't on the subsidy list and are fully self-paid.
Elderly Health Care Voucher
Hong Kong residents aged 65 or above with a valid Hong Kong Identity Card receive HK$2,000 in vouchers each year, accumulating up to a HK$8,000 cap. Vouchers can be used for vaccination services at participating private healthcare providers.
Eligibility rules and amounts for each scheme can change. Before getting vaccinated, confirm with your family doctor or the Centre for Health Protection which category you fall into and the current subsidy arrangements.