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To safeguard public, free of charge for eligible persons vaccination is available under This link will open in a new windowCOVID-19 Vaccination Programme.

To minimise the risk of serious complications or death after COVID-19 infection, those at high risk, particularly the elderly and persons with underlying comorbidities, should receive the free vaccine boosters as soon as possible if they have received their last dose or had COVID-19 infection more than 6 months ago. Members of the public who have not received the initial dose(s) of the COVID-19 vaccine (including infants and children) should get free vaccination as soon as possible.

COVID-19 vaccine should be received in a timely manner to reduce the risk of serious illness and death due to COVID-19. Local data showed that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in reducing hospitalization and death across all age groups in the adult population.

This link will open in a new windowAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens when microorganisms (e.g. bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) evolve to become resistant to previously effective medications (i.e. antimicrobials). It is considered one of the greatest threats to global health and economy.

Antibiotics, a type of antimicrobial, are medications used for treating bacterial infection. When antibiotics wipe out disease-causing bacteria in our body, normal bacteria are also killed, thereby increasing the opportunity for resistant bacteria to grow and multiply. These resistant bacteria are sometimes referred to as ‘superbugs’. Some superbugs are capable of resisting more than one antibiotic causing infections difficult to treat. Although there may be non-first-line antibiotics available, they may be less effective or cause more side effects. Moreover, AMR develops at a fast rate than the development of new medicines. If the problem of AMR does not improve, there would be fewer effective treatment options.

To combat antimicrobial resistance, members of the public should follow your doctor’s advice when taking antibiotics; do not demand antibiotics from your doctor; do not stop taking antibiotics by yourselves even if you are feeling better; practise frequent hand hygiene, especially before eating and taking medicine, and after going to the toilet; ensure your vaccination is up-to-date; and maintain cough etiquette, wear a surgical mask if you have respiratory symptoms.

This link will open in a new windowSeasonal influenza is an acute illness of the respiratory tract caused by influenza viruses. In Hong Kong, seasonal influenza is usually more common in periods from January to March/April and from July to August. 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. As persons who contract influenza and COVID-19 at the same time are at a higher risk of severe complications and death, the CHP strongly recommends that high-risk individuals receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) and COVID-19 vaccination booster to reduce the risk of serious illness and death. Please consult family doctors about the details of receiving seasonal influenza vaccination.

This link will open in a new windowPneumococcal infection is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). Streptococcus pneumoniae causes a wide range of diseases, more common ones include middle ear infection (acute otitis media) and chest infection (pneumonia). It may also cause various forms of invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD), such as infection of the brain membranes (meningitis) and blood stream (bacteraemia and sepsis). The infection can be serious or even life-threatening. It mainly spreads through droplets via coughing and sneezing, close contact with the patients or contact with materials soiled with the bacteria. Pneumococcal vaccination is one of the most effective means of preventing pneumococcal infection. Members of the public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene.

Lunar New Year is a very important festival for the Chinese, and everyone will prepare lots of special New Year treats at home for their guests. Most of the traditional New Year treats, however, are rather greasy, it is recommended to adopt the This link will open in a new windowHealth Tips for Lunar New Year when buying or enjoying the New Year snacks.

Hiking is a physical activity with both physical and mental benefits. It can improve your physical fitness and help you relax. To ensure a pleasant hiking trip, you should take note of the following This link will open in a new windowGuide for Hikers.

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

The life expectancy at birth increased from 67.8 years for males and 75.3 years for females in 1971 to 82.7 years and 88.2 years respectively in 2024.

The population of Hong Kong has been ageing steadily. In 2024, 22.8% of the population were aged 65 and above (12.1% in 2004, 14.7% in 2014) and the elderly dependency ratio was 340 per 1 000 population aged between 15 and 64 (165 in 2004, 198 in 2014).

In 2024, the registered crude death rate^* was 7.0 per 1 000 population. In the last two decades, the age-specific death rates for all age groups have shown a steady decline. The age-standardised death rate^*, which takes into account population ageing, was 2.5 per 1 000 standard population^ in 2024.

Infant mortality rate^* was consistently low at 1.7 per 1 000 registered live births^*in 2024.

Maternal mortality ratio^* remained low over the last two decades. There were two registered maternal death^* in 2024, giving a maternal mortality ratio^* of 5.4 per 100 000 registered live births^*.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remained to be the major causes of death in 2024. Four major NCDs, namely malignant neoplasms (cancer), cardiovascular diseases (which include diseases of heart and cerebrovascular diseases), chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes mellitus, together accounted for 52.7% of all registered deaths^* in 2024.

* The figures are based on births or deaths registered under the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance (Cap. 174, Laws of Hong Kong) during the specified period.
^ Based on the world standard population specified in GPE Discussion Paper Series: No.31, EIP/GPE/EBD, World Health Organization, 2001.

19 Jan 2026