Parents and children need to heed latest call on Hong Kong vaccinations
- Even with the age threshold for BioNTech jabs set to be lowered from 16 to 12, much remains to be done if the city is to achieve herd immunity and beat Covid-19
The Hong Kong authorities have been struggling to vaccinate as many people as possible among the city’s 7.5 million population. Notwithstanding months of intense promotion and adjustments in eligibility, so far just one in five has been inoculated against Covid-19.
The sluggish take-up partly stems from scepticism over the possible serious side effects and distrust in the administration. Even with the lowering of the age threshold from 16 to 12, there will be challenges.
With the eligible population for BioNTech jabs set to widen by 243,500, the latest decision by the health minister, upon the recommendation of an advisory panel following analysis of clinical trial data of the younger age group, ought to be welcome news for those awaiting the relaxation. The move helps broaden the long overdue protection to youngsters and brings the city closer to achieving immunity against the deadly virus.
This is also in line with recent steps taken by the European Union, the United States and Canada.
Details of the exercise are expected to be announced soon. It has been suggested that parents and children be vaccinated together.
The idea is worth considering should it ease the anxiety of youngsters receiving their jabs while attracting more adults to come forward at the same time.