Children generally have lower immunity, and vaccination can reduce the risk of contracting certain diseases. Currently, the Government’s “Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme” provides eligible children from birth to Primary 6 with free vaccinations services for the prevention of 12 infectious diseases (e.g. measles, varicella, hepatitis B, etc). Children must complete all doses of the vaccinations on time according to the programme to ensure they have adequate protection. Separately, many private healthcare facilities (PHF) / medical groups also offer vaccination services, allowing parents to choose vaccine combinations based on individual needs, with more flexible scheduling. As such, some parents opt for additional vaccinations at PHFs / medical groups for their children.
The Consumer Council compared the service charges and information of 19 non-government subsidised vaccination schemes offered by 9 PHFs / medical groups (hereafter “service providers”). The survey found that the vast majority (18 schemes from 8 service providers) required consumers to prepay in full before vaccination, while only 1 service provider allowed payment by dose and offered a 7-day cooling-off period. Whether a child is suitable for vaccination greatly relies on a doctor’s professional assessment. 3 service providers explicitly stated during the survey that consumers who wish to consult a doctor before purchase would be required to pay an additional charge. For the rest, even if a child is later deemed unfit for vaccination by a doctor, most service providers did not offer full refunds but required deductions for consultation fees or administrative charges, or only allowed consumers to switch to another scheme or transfer the scheme to another person within a specified period.
In addition, the information provided on some service providers’ websites were rather ambiguous, failing to indicate that certain vaccines required additional charges. The Council urges service providers to enhance transparency by clearly listing the types of vaccines covered and the detailed charges of each scheme. Any additional charges or refund arrangements should be clearly explained before payment, and consumers should be allowed to consult a doctor prior to making payment. The Council also reminds consumers to avoid purchasing prepaid vaccination schemes without prior medical consultation. Price should not be the sole consideration. Instead, consumers should carefully compare the content of each scheme and clarify the terms and conditions with the service provider to ensure that their children can receive safe and effective immunisation protection.
Between July and August this year, the Council surveyed the service charges and information of 19 child vaccination schemes not included in the “Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme” from the websites of 9 service providers. The information was consolidated and sent to the respective service providers for verification. The Council also made enquiries posing as a regular consumer with 3 service providers that did not respond. The 19 surveyed schemes mainly covered additional non-government subsidised vaccines of “oral rotavirus vaccines” to prevent gastrointestinal virus infections, and “Haemophilus influenzae Type B (Hib) vaccines” to reduce the risk of meningitis. Some schemes also included “meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) / quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines” and “hepatitis A vaccines”. All vaccines would be administered by doctors or nurses.
Significant Price Differences Among Schemes
Vaccine Brand May Affect Costs
There is a wide variety of child vaccination schemes available on the market, with considerable differences in pricing that make direct comparison difficult. The 19 surveyed schemes ranged from $3,000 to $14,680. Each scheme offered between 2 to 6 types of vaccines, with 4 to 12 doses for injections and 2 to 3 oral doses. Within the same service provider, higher-priced schemes did not necessarily include more types of vaccines. Parents should pay attention to the vaccine combinations offered in each scheme. One service provider offered two brands of “MenACWY vaccines”, with a price difference of almost $1,200. Service providers that offer multiple vaccine brands should clearly explain the features and differences of each brand to facilitate effective comparison by consumers.
Ambiguous Information and Additional Charges for Some Vaccines Not Specified
The information on some service providers’ websites lacked clarity, which could confuse consumers. 1 service provider displayed certain vaccines within a scheme in a different colour, but did not explain what the colour represents. Upon enquiry by Council staff posing as consumers, it was revealed that those vaccines were not included in the package and required additional charges. The Council considers this practice unclear and recommends the service provider to clearly list the relevant charges to protect consumers’ right to information. Another service provider only listed charges for individual vaccines on its website, and only provided scheme details via instant messaging after a phone enquiry, which was inconvenient for consumers and lacked transparency.
Only 1 Service Provider Allowed Payment by Dose
Full Prepayment Possesses Risks
Vaccination schemes generally offer lower average cost per dose compared to single-dose purchases, yet consumers are often required to make full prepayment to enjoy discounted prices. The survey found that 8 out of the 9 surveyed service providers (18 schemes in total) required full prepayment, while only 1 allowed payment by dose. Some service providers explained that full prepayment was necessary as all vaccines had to be pre-ordered from pharmaceutical companies, often subject to minimum order quantities. Prepayment allowed service providers to stock vaccines in advance and arrange bulk delivery, reducing costs and hence lowering overall prices compared to single-dose purchases.
Nevertheless, the Council points out that vaccination schemes could cost several thousand to over ten thousand dollars. In case of changes in consumers’ personal plans (e.g. emigration) or their children’s health conditions, or even the sudden closure of service providers, consumers may suffer financial losses. The Council recommends service providers to offer more flexible payment arrangements to safeguard consumer rights.
3 Service Providers Specified Additional Charge for Pre-purchase Medical Consultation
General consumers may not fully understand the actual efficacy of various vaccines, whether they suit their children’s needs, or potential side effects. Therefore, consulting a doctor before vaccination is crucial. 3 service providers explicitly stated during the survey that consumers who wish to consult a doctor before purchase would be required to pay an additional charge, which cost $200 and $500 respectively for 2 of the service providers. The Council advises consumers to consult a paediatrician or their own family doctor to choose the most suitable vaccination scheme, avoiding the future risk of refund procedures and disputes.
1 Service Provider Only Allowed Vaccination Bookings 30 Days After Payment
1 service provider allowed consumers to book vaccination immediately after payment; 2 others allowed booking before payment, with payment made on the day of the first injection, offering more flexibility. Another allowed partial deposit payment, with the balance settled on the day of vaccination. However, 1 service provider stated that due to tight vaccine supply, vaccines could only be pre-ordered, and consumers could only book vaccination 30 days after payment. Its website did not specify which vaccines were in short supply, and the clarity of information needs improvement.
Full Refund Difficult Even if Child Is Physically Unfit for Vaccination
Among the 9 surveyed service providers, only 1 allowed consumers to cancel and obtain a refund within 7 days of purchase, subject to a 5% administrative fee. 6 service providers stated that in special circumstances, such as a doctor certifying unsuitability for vaccination, the balance could be refunded. However, some required deductions of $150 to $350 for consultation fees and/or 3.5% to 5% administrative fees, among which 2 service providers allowed consumers to transfer the entire vaccination scheme to another person, subject to time limits. 1 service provider stated no refunds would be provided, but allowed the payment to be used for other schemes or services within the same service provider.
If a child experiences discomfort after receiving some doses and wishes to cancel the scheme, 5 service providers stated that refunds would be calculated proportionally based on the price of doses already administered or at discretion, subject to reasons and possible administrative fees. Notably, 1 service provider stated that since the average cost per dose in the scheme was lower than single-dose purchases, refunds would be calculated based on the original price of administered doses. The Council reminds consumers to fully understand the terms and conditions before payment and signing contracts to reduce financial loss and avoid future disputes.
Parents should pay attention to the following before and after arranging vaccinations for their children:
- If parents wish to arrange vaccination not included under the “Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme” for their children, they should consult a paediatrician or their own family doctor beforehand to understand the importance of specific diseases for children, the potential benefits and risks of related vaccines, and decide whether to let their children be vaccinated based on the doctor’s assessment of their health and medical history;
- After vaccination, children may experience redness, swelling, pain at the injection site and/or reduced appetite, which usually subsides within 1 to 2 days. Mild fever below 38.5°C, mild rash, drowsiness or irritability may also occur. Parents should not panic. Even if no discomfort occurs, children should avoid vigorous exercise and drink plenty of water within 24 hours after vaccination;
- Children must complete all doses according to the schedule recommended by the “Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme” to ensure adequate immunisation protection. Incomplete vaccination may leave children vulnerable to infectious diseases and serious complications;
- Parents should keep vaccination records and receipts properly. If the healthcare facility / medical group suddenly closes during the scheme, they should promptly contact other healthcare facilities / medical groups to arrange catch-up vaccination. If the available vaccine brand differs from the original, consult a doctor on interchangeability;
- Some vaccines (e.g. rotavirus vaccines) have strict age limits for administration. If catch-up vaccination is not possible, daily preventive measures should be strengthened to minimise infection risk.
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