Explainer | Coronavirus: how close is Hong Kong to rolling out its Covid-19 vaccination scheme?

An advisory panel had recommended the BioNTech vaccine for use in Hong Kong but the health minister must still give her final approval

Factors such as availability, safety and efficacy of vaccines will determine how jabs are distributed to residents

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The BioNTech vaccine has been recommended for use in Hong Kong. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 10:00am, 21 Jan 2021Updated: 9:27pm, 26 Jan 2021

As Hong Kong struggles to contain its fourth wave of coronavirus infections, many have pinned their hopes on the coming vaccination scheme for a return to normality.

These wishes took a step closer to reality after a government advisory panel recommended the BioNTech vaccine for use, which later gained the health minister’s final approval. But third-stage data for another vaccine procured, which is produced by mainland-based Sinovac, has yet to be published in medical journals, prompting Hong Kong’s leader to seek Beijing’s help in bringing in a vaccine that has been widely used on the mainland.

Factors such as availability, safety and efficacy of other Covid-19 vaccines will also determine how jabs are distributed to residents. Here is what we know so far.

Anything holding up the vaccine approval process in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong has ordered three Covid-19 vaccines – procuring 7.5 million doses of each – but the arrival schedule appears to be different from that originally announced by the government. Delays are expected.

Residents will receive a vaccine depending on a number of factors. Photo: Dickson Lee

Although the first 1 million doses of Beijing-based Sinovac’s CoronaVac were initially expected to arrive this month, experts believe this will be delayed because the pharmaceutical firm is releasing its vaccine data more slowly than originally planned.

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