Advertisement
Hong Kong fourth wave: city finally secures enough Covid-19 vaccines to cover all residents after striking deal with AstraZeneca
- Government has now procured 22.5 million doses, city leader Carrie Lam reveals as she urges everyone to get shots
- Indemnity fund to provide help to those who develop rare and serious responses after being vaccinated, but officials say the programme is safe
Reading Time:5 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
77
Key points:
• City has secured 7.5 million shots of vaccine from AstraZeneca, to be available middle of next year
• De facto cabinet passes emergency law to allow use of the new vaccines, while residents can choose among the options
Advertisement
• Government sets up an indemnity fund to offer financial assistance to residents who suffer from rare and unforeseen complications after receiving shot
• Arrivals from Britain must quarantine for 21 days at hotel after two travellers found to have new variant of coronavirus
Advertisement
Hong Kong will have more than enough Covid-19 vaccine for the entire population after a deal was struck with a third manufacturer that took the total supply to 22.5 million shots, the city’s leader has revealed as she dismissed speculation Beijing was dissatisfied with local authorities’ fight against the outbreak.
Appealing to all residents to get vaccinated, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor also said an indemnity fund would be set up to provide financial help to those who suffered from “rare and unforeseen” complications. A new expert panel has also been established to vet the quality of the vaccines. Lam said residents would be allowed to choose which shots they wanted, suggesting a changed stance from her remarks last week.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x