Expert Dialogue on
Pneumococcal Disease Prevention in COPD patients
13 September 2025
Organized by HKCMA
Sponsored by Pfizer Hong Kong
Introduction
At this meeting, infectious disease specialists, pulmonologists and microbiologists discussed the evolving landscape of pneumococcal disease prevention in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). At the meeting, a group of experts collectively offered insights into local practices and discussed ways to improve the current standards of care for preventing pneumococcal diseases in patients with respiratory issues, particularly those with COPD.
Participants
| Name | Specialty | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Prof Mary Ip | Emeritus Professor, Respiratory Medicine, HKU | Chair |
| Prof Ivan Hung | Chair Professor of Infectious Disease – HKU | Speaker |
| Prof Margaret Ip | Chairperson of Department of Microbiology, CUHK | Speaker |
| Dr Chun-kong Ng | Respiratory Specialist, Queen Elizabeth Hospital | Speaker |
| Dr Jane Chan | Respiratory Specialist, President of HKCMA | Attendee |
| Dr Fanny Ko | Head of Clinical Respiratory Medicine CUHK, Scientific Committee of GINA | Attendee |
| Dr David Lam | Chief of Respiratory Medicine, HKU | Attendee |
| Dr Ada Lin | Infectious Disease Specialist, Co-chair ISAAR 2026 | Attendee |
Programme Rundown
| Time (HKT) | Topic | Speaker/ Moderator |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 pm – 7:05 pm | Opening and Introduction | Chairperson: Prof Mary Ip |
| 7:05 pm – 7:25 pm | Session 1: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Pneumococcal Disease (GOLD Guidelines) | Dr Fanny Ko |
| 7:25 pm – 7:50 pm | Discussion 1 | All (Moderated by Chairperson) |
| 7:50 pm – 8:05 pm | Session 2: Global (including HK) IPD Disease Burden & Prevention Strategies | Prof Ivan Hung |
| 8:05 pm – 8:35 pm | Discussion 2 | All (Moderated by Chairperson) |
| 8:45 pm – 9:05 pm | Session 3: Clinical and microbiological insights converge on COPD Pneumococcal Prevention | |
| Subtopic: Decoding Pneumococcus: Strains, Diagnostics, and Vaccines | Prof Margaret Ip | |
| Subtopic: Preventing pneumococcal pneumonia in COPD patients. Can we do better? | Dr Chun-kong Ng | |
| 9:05 pm – 9:35 pm | Discussion 3 | All (Moderated by Chairperson) |
| 9:35 pm – 9:40 pm | Summary and Closing Chairperson | Chairperson |
Meeting Outcome
Individuals with chronic diseases, including COPD, are at significant risk of pneumococcal infection. PCV vaccination can provide significant protection against CAP in COPD patients, reduce the likelihood of a COPD exacerbation. Raising public and physician awareness and enhancing vaccine accessibility are measures to overcome barriers and improve pneumococcal vaccination uptake.
A summary of the contents of this meeting has been published in our April 2026 e-Bulletin.
