EditorialHong Kong must catch up with rest of the world on vaccine roll-outs

Hong Kong is falling behind many other developed parts of the world in protecting citizens against Covid-19. The government needs to urgently push forward with vaccination, approving use of a second jab and announcing details of when and where immunisation will take place. With the speedy arrival of vaccines, the prospect of life returning to as it was before will be nearer. But the disease is ever-evolving, so even after receiving shots, we have to remain vigilant until the goal of herd immunity has been attained.

Social-distancing measures have been relaxed from Thursday, with restaurants opening four hours longer to 10pm and with four diners per table allowed, and fitness and entertainment venues able to resume business. But the relaxation depends on compliance with new requirements that all staff have regular Covid-19 tests and patrons leave contact information to enable tracing, with the government’s “Leave Home Safe” app the preferred method. Testing capacity has been increased and authorities do not seem concerned about a grace period until February 24 for compliance by workers. The 16 new confirmed cases on Wednesday, 12 local and 10 of unknown origin, proves the city is still some way from the aim of zero daily infections.

Going on 200 million people have so far been vaccinated around the world, with the most jabs given in the United States, mainland China and Britain. Israel is far ahead of the curve and close to attaining the target of having at least 70 per cent immunised to prevent community spread. Hong Kong needs to attain such figures for borders to reopen for normal travel and further relaxation of rules. With the Sinovac vaccine having been recommended for emergency use by the government’s advisory panel and that produced by Pfizer-BioNTech being readied for deployment, such possibilities have been significantly boosted. Concerns have been raised by some that the Chinese-produced Sinovac jab is not as good as Western counterparts. Although it meets the World Health Organization’s requirement of having an efficacy rate of at least 50 per cent with between 50.65 per cent and 91.25 per cent in trials on people over the age of 18 depending on health circumstances, it has not been given WHO authorisation for emergency use. Nor have phase 3 trial results been peer-reviewed and published in recognised international medical journals. But the panel that gave its recommendation comprises 12 experts on vaccination and science was apparently at the core of their decision; after requesting and reviewing further data from the company, they are satisfied that the vaccine’s benefits outweigh the risks. Health authorities should press ahead with approval, securing of supplies and vaccination as a matter of urgency.