Hong Kong widens Covid-19 vaccine access to those aged 16 and up, say reports
HONG KONG (BLOOMBERG) – Hong Kong has expanded eligibility for Covid-19 vaccines to all residents aged 16 and older, local media reported, in the government’s latest attempt to boost a low inoculation rate by making the shots widely accessible.
Residents aged 16 and above will be allowed to receive BioNTech vaccines, while those older than 18 will also be able to opt for shots made by China’s Sinovac Biotech, the South China Morning Post reported, citing a government source.
Secretary for Civil Service Patrick Nip and Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan will speak on the vaccination programme at 3.15pm local time on Thursday (April 15), according to a Hong Kong government statement.
While the Asian financial hub has largely managed to contain the virus, its roll-out has been hampered by public distrust in both the Beijing-backed government and questions about the safety and efficacy of Chinese-made vaccines, slowing efforts to reach the herd immunity crucial for a full economic reopening.
Hong Kong has been expanding vaccine access rapidly since its roll-out started in late February, as few among priority groups came forward in earlier stages of the campaign.
Healthy adults aged 30-59, domestic helpers and students aged 16 and above who study in overseas institutions were made eligible in March.
The city is currently administering vaccines made by Sinovac and Germany’s BioNTech, after the latter was temporarily halted last month following packaging defects found in some vials.
The BioNTech programme was resumed after authorities concluded that the defects didn’t pose a safety risk.
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