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To safeguard public health, the Government is implementing a territory-wide This link will open in a new windowCOVID-19 Vaccination Programme free of charge for eligible persons. Under the Programme, COVID-19 vaccination will be available in different locations, including Private Clinic COVID-19 Vaccination Stations(PCVS), Children Community Vaccination Centres(CCVC), Designated general outpatient clinics and COVID-19 Vaccination Stations at public hospitals of Hospital Authority, Designated private clinics, Designated clinics of the Department of Health (DH) and outreach to residential care homes or other suitable venues.

Based on local studies and experience, three doses of COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against severe disease and death. Members of the public, who have not received the first three doses of vaccine and have never been infected, they are recommended to get free vaccination as early as possible for self-protection. Early vaccination for all!

This link will open in a new windowSeasonal Influenza is an acute illness of the respiratory tract caused by influenza viruses. Influenza viruses mainly spread through droplets when infected people cough, sneeze or talk. To prevent seasonal influenza, members of the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. The infection may also spread by direct contact with the secretions of infected persons. A person getting influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill. To protect ourselves, getting an influenza vaccine early is therefore important. Please consult family doctors about the details of receiving seasonal influenza vaccination.

This link will open in a new windowDengue fever is an acute mosquito-borne infection caused by the dengue viruses. It is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates around the world. It is transmitted to humans through the bites of infective female Aedes mosquitoes. The dengue viruses encompass 4 different serotypes. The symptoms of first infection are usually mild. Once recovered, lifelong immunity to that serotype of virus will develop. Subsequent infections with other serotypes of dengue virus are more likely to result in severe dengue which is potentially fatal. The best preventive measure is to prevent accumulation of stagnant, control vectors and reservoir of the diseases and to avoid mosquito bites.

This link will open in a new windowMeasles is a highly communicable infectious disease caused by measles virus. This can be transmitted airborne by droplet spread or by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons. Vaccination against measles is the most effective preventive measure. In addition, members of the public should maintain personal and environmental hygiene and wash hands frequently. If feeling unwell or having a fever or skin rash, one should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly.

When it comes to fats and cholesterol, a lot of people naturally want to keep their distance, because all they can think of is weight gain, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other health problems. But in fact, fat is an important nutrient, just like protein and carbohydrates. So let's look at This link will open in a new windowfat in depth.

Let’s support the “Joyful Fruit Month”. Fruit is rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre. We recommend at least This link will open in a new window2 servings of fruit a day to adult for improving health and reducing the risks of major diseases. What is one serving of fruit?

Health indices in Hong Kong rank among the best in the world.

The life expectancy at birth for both sexes have increased from 67.8 years for males and 75.3 years for females in 1971 to 80.7 years and 86.8 years respectively in 2022. The expectation of life at birth in 2022 should be interpreted with care as the figures are affected by exceptionally high mortality rates in 2022 during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Hong Kong's population has been aging steadily. In 2022, 20.8% of the population were aged 65 and above (11.5% in 2002, 13.7% in 2012) while the elderly dependency ratio was 303 per 1000 population aged 15 to 64 (159 in 2002, 183 in 2012).

In 2022, the registered crude death rate^* was 8.4 per 1000 population. In the last 23 years, the age-specific death rates^* for all ages have fallen significantly. The age-standardised death rate^*, which takes into account population aging, has shown a steady decline.

Infant mortality rate^* was consistently low at 1.6 per 1000 registered live births^* in 2022.

Maternal mortality ratio^* remained low over the last two decades. There was one registered maternal death* in 2022, giving a maternal mortality ratio^* of 3.0 per 100000 registered live births^*.

Chronic diseases constituted the major causes of death In 2022, malignant neoplasms, diseases of heart, cerebrovascular diseases and chronic lower respiratory diseases together accounted for 41.7% of all registered death^*.

* The figures are based on births and deaths registered under the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance (Cap. 174, Laws of Hong Kong) during the specified period.