Excuses are running out for those Hong Kong citizens still to be vaccinated
- Despite health experts agreeing inoculation is the best route to move beyond Hong Kong’s zero-tolerance approach, the proven safety of vaccines and with tighter restrictions on the way, a small minority refuses to be jabbed
Almost 10 months have passed since Hong Kong began offering free vaccines to residents to protect against the coronavirus. The emphasis was on freedom to choose, with a Chinese and a Western brand being made available and it being up to individuals whether to get jabbed.
Only late last month was the milestone of 70 per cent receiving at least one shot attained, but rates remain disappointingly low in older age groups. A survey of more than 5,600 people highlights the reality for authorities that there is a small minority not interested in being inoculated.
Widespread vaccination is seen by health experts as being the best route to move beyond Hong Kong’s zero-tolerance approach to the coronavirus and living with it. The findings of the online poll by the Society of Hospital Pharmacists indicate that the refusal of some residents could hamper such a goal.
It found 59 per cent of respondents were fully vaccinated, but 39 per cent had not received a single jab. Of those who were unvaccinated, 47 per cent had no intention of getting a shot and 27 per cent were undecided.
The survey also revealed that more than two-thirds of respondents would be comfortable with a strategy of living with the virus; on a 10-point scale, they gave a rating of seven or higher. But that cannot be an option for the government with vaccination rates, especially among the most vulnerable groups, still so low.
Just 46 per cent of those 70 to 79 years old have received a jab and the number plunges to just 18 per cent for those 80 and older. Although the city’s preventive measures have ensured no local cases for seven months, more transmissible variants require that guards cannot be let down and may even need to be strengthened.
That is the aim of tightened measures taking effect on Thursday requiring mandatory use of the government’s “Leave Home Safe” app to enter premises such as restaurants, bars and fitness centres, with exemptions for those 65 and over, 15 and under and the disabled. Without widening its use, headway could not have been made in talks on quarantine-free travel to the mainland.
Some experts contend the overall vaccination level now has to be 90 per cent or higher.
Other governments are adopting extreme approaches. Austria will make vaccination mandatory from February 1, people over the age of 60 in Greece will be fined €100 (HK$880) a month if they do not receive the jab by January 15 and private employers in New York City have to ensure workers are immunised from December 27.
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Health reasons are justifiable grounds for some people not to get inoculated. But with the safety of vaccines and their efficacy proven, there is no good excuse to refuse.
With public health, the economy and jobs in the balance, getting a shot is for personal good as well as a civic duty.
