Before you travel, always ensure your vaccinations are up to date and follow the guidelines set out by your healthcare practitioner. Vaccinations protect you against disease and can save your life. The following guidance is compiled from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); you should also check with your own national health authorities for advice about necessary vaccinations for travel to Hong Kong¹.

Recommended Vaccinations

The CDC and Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection recommend the following immunizations for travelers to Hong Kong¹ ²:

• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid
• Polio
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Influenza (annual, especially during winter)
• COVID-19 (as per current guidelines)
• Tuberculosis (for long-term travelers or those at higher risk)

Routine childhood vaccinations should also be up to date. The Hong Kong government has also launched a free hepatitis B screening program for high-risk groups in 2026, as part of its campaign to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030³.

Other Health Risks

• Dengue Fever:
  Dengue fever remains a risk, with 59 imported cases reported in 2025. The principal mosquito vector, Aedes albopictus, is present in Hong Kong. There is no vaccine for dengue fever in Hong Kong, so prevention relies on avoiding mosquito bites: wear long-sleeved clothing, use insect repellent containing DEET, and keep drains clean. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) advises travelers returning from endemic regions to continue using repellent for 14 days after arrival⁴.
• Rabies:
  Hong Kong has been free of dog rabies for over 30 years, but rabies is present in bats and remains a notifiable disease. Pre-exposure vaccination is recommended for those at high risk (e.g., cavers, animal handlers, or those traveling to rural areas). Post-exposure prophylaxis is available and effective if administered promptly⁵.
• Hepatitis B & C:
  Hepatitis B is endemic in Hong Kong, with about 410,000 people living with the virus. Universal newborn vaccination has been in place since 1988. Hepatitis C is less common but still present. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, so prevention relies on avoiding risky behaviors such as sharing needles or unprotected sex. Free hepatitis B screening is being offered to high-risk groups in 2026³.
• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS):
  There are currently no reported outbreaks of SARS in Hong Kong. Public health vigilance remains high, and mask-wearing is still observed in crowded places⁶.
• Avian Influenza:
  Avian influenza is a notifiable disease. There have been no new human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1), A(H5N6), or A(H7N9) in Hong Kong in 2025. The government continues to monitor outbreaks in neighboring regions and suspends poultry imports from affected areas as needed⁷.

1. “Hong Kong SAR: Health Information for Travelers,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/hong-kong-sar, accessed January 9, 2026.
2. “Recommendations on Seasonal Influenza Vaccination for the 2025-26 Season in Hong Kong,” Centre for Health Protection, https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/recommendations_on_seasonal_influenza_vaccination_for_the_2025_26_season_in_hong_kong_mar2025.pdf, accessed January 9, 2026.
3. “300,000 Hongkongers to be offered free hepatitis B screenings in early 2026,” South China Morning Post, https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3338148/300000-hongkongers-be-offered-free-hepatitis-b-screenings-early-2026, accessed January 9, 2026.
4. “Update on mosquito-borne diseases, dengue fever and chikungunya fever,” Centre for Health Protection, https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202601/09/P2026010900554.htm, accessed January 9, 2026.
5. “Rabies - Centre for Health Protection,” https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/3149.html, accessed January 9, 2026.
6. “Hong Kong Country Guide FEB 2021,” Aetna International, accessed January 9, 2026.
7. “Avian Influenza Report,” Centre for Health Protection, https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2026_avian_influenza_report_vol22_wk01.pdf, accessed January 9, 2026.