Flu vaccine funding runs through two routes: the Government Vaccination Programme (GVP) offers free vaccination, and the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS) offers a partial subsidy. The eligible groups are largely the same; the difference is where you go and what you pay.
Government Vaccination Programme (GVP): free
GVP provides free seasonal flu vaccine to high-risk groups at public hospitals, clinics and outreach sessions. Eligible groups include:
- People aged 50 or above
- Pregnant women
- Elderly and people with disabilities living in residential care
- People with chronic illness
- Healthcare workers
- Children and adolescents receiving CSSA or holding a medical fee waiver certificate
- Children and adolescents aged 6 months to under 18 years (some through the school outreach programme)
- Poultry and pig-trade workers
Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS): partial subsidy
If you fall into a subsidised group but aren't on the free list, you can get vaccinated through a private doctor participating in VSS, with the government covering part of the cost. For 2025/26 the flu vaccine subsidy is HK$260 per dose. You pay the difference between the doctor's fee and the subsidy, which varies by clinic.
VSS eligible groups are close to GVP's, covering people aged 50 or above, children and adolescents aged 6 months to under 18 years, pregnant women, and people aged 18 to 49 with chronic illness.
Doses
A child under 9 receiving flu vaccine for the first time needs two doses in the first season, at least 4 weeks apart, then one dose each year after. Everyone else gets one dose per year.
Flu strains are updated annually and protection fades over time, so you need a fresh dose this year even if you were vaccinated last year.