Each year, Outstanding Young Fellows of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine are nominated by respective member Colleges of the Academy to be recognised for their remarkable achievements and contributions to the developments of the Academy or its Colleges. This year, The Hong Kong College of Family Physicians has nominated Dr. WONG Sau Kuen Sophia and Dr. CHANG Hoi Yi Zoe, our outstanding candidates of Exit Examination 2025. All the Outstanding Young Fellows have been invited to receive their certificates and to meet members of the Academy Council and distinguished guests over a celebration dinner at the Academy. Congratulations to both Dr. WONG Sau Kuen Sophia and Dr. CHANG Hoi Yi Zoe for their great achievements again!

The 2025/26 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV) Programmes have been announced by The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH), including the SIV School Outreach Programme, the Residential Care Home Vaccination Programme and the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS), and the vaccinations would be starting from 22 September 2025 by 

enrolled private doctors while public vaccination clinic venues would provide vaccination from 25 September 2025. (please click) (please click) Not only is vaccination one of the most effective means to prevent severe cases of seasonal influenza and its complications, but it also reduces the risks of in-patient admission and mortality due to seasonal influenza, and that has been scientifically proven. Five new initiatives are introduced this year to further enhance public access to seasonal influenza vaccines, that includes: expanding the eligible group; enhancing the SIV School Outreach Programme; providing recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) for better protection of elderly living in institutions; launching a pilot scheme to procure part of the seasonal influenza vaccine for private doctors to help stabilise the supply of vaccines; and optimising information dissemination.

The local winter influenza season usually begins in January, while the summer surge occurs from July to August. Getting vaccinated well before the winter influenza season can effectively protect one’s health and that of one’s family. Therefore, as family doctors, we should continue to help promote the SIV programmes, apply to join the Primary Care Directory if not done already (please click), join the VSS and provide vaccinations to the public as early as possible if there is no contraindication.

As you may be aware, the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance (the Ordinance) will come into effect on 20 January 2026. The Social Welfare Department has published the Guide for Mandated Reporters (“the Guide”) aiming at helping to prepare all mandated reporters to fulfill their legal responsibilities in identifying and reporting suspected cases of serious child abuse. (please click)

The Government had also set up an e-learning platform, coordinated by the Social Welfare Department in collaboration with the relevant bureau and government departments, to provide training, reference materials and information for the relevant professionals. The Child Protection Online Training aims at enhancing the relevant professionals’ capacity for early identification and handling of child abuse cases. The Child Protection Online Training is free of charge and it is conducted in Cantonese, with three subtitles [Chinese (traditional), Chinese (simplified) or English] available for selection. Please participate in the training by registering through the following website: please click