Coronavirus: Hong Kong’s BioNTech vaccination drive likely to resume next week after probe into packaging flaws finds no systemic errors

The government issued a statement on Saturday announcing the initial investigation results hours after Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip, the top official in charge of the mass vaccination drive, said he was expecting a report next week and the city could resume administering the German-made vaccine if no major problems were identified.

The statement said that a “comprehensive investigation covering all aspects of the supply chain” by BioNTech and its mainland Chinese distributor Fosun Pharma had not found any systemic problems that may have caused the flaws discovered in Hong Kong. The investigation covered the entire process, from packaging at BioNTech’s factory in Germany and shipping to Hong Kong to storage and logistics management upon arrival, as well as inspection and handling at community vaccination centres. 

“So far, there is no indication of any obvious systemic factors during the processes from filling and packaging to administration that could have led to the relevant packaging defects,” the statement said. “Premised on the condition of safety, the government will strive to resume the administration of the BioNTech vaccine for members of the public as soon as possible.”

Investigators said “environmental factors” could have damaged the vials during long-distance transportation, but concluded that the defects were not related to logistics and cold-chain management. Random sampling and testing of fully packaged vials found no leakage.

“Our plan is if the current batches have no quality and safety concerns, we can resume the vaccination,” Nip said earlier in a morning radio programme, adding that priority would be given to those due for their second jab. 

“Residents do not have to redo the booking themselves; we will arrange an available time slot for them.”