Just under a third of the more than 300 adverse events reviewed by Hong Kong health authorities following Covid-19 vaccination s so far could be linked to the jabs, a top government adviser has revealed, though few have involved serious side effects. While the jabs in question represent just a fraction of the 3 million administered in the city to date, fears over the use of vaccines have remained high in recent weeks, despite the local Covid-19 situation stabilising. On Saturday, only one imported coronavirus infection from Britain was confirmed, according to the Centre for Health Protection, marking 14 straight days without a local case. Hong Kong’s overall Covid-19 infection tally stood at 11,885, with 210 related deaths. A review of reported adverse vaccine events in the past three months found that about 90 of the 300-plus investigated in the time frame could be related, or at least had not been ruled out as having links to the vaccines, said Professor Ivan Hung Fan-ngai, co-convenor of the Expert Committee on Clinical Events Assessment Following Covid-19 Immunisation. “Among them, the number of serious cases was very small. They suffered Guillain-Barre syndrome, or face paralysis,” he told a radio programme on Saturday. “Not all involved Sinovac, as some took the BioNTech vaccine.” He added: “Hong Kong’s rate [in adverse events] is quite similar to other countries … It’s important to note that some cases were mild.” Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare disorder in which a patient’s own immune system attacks the nerves. The disclosure came the same week in which the government’s vaccination indemnity fund paid out compensation for the first time. Coronavirus: Hong Kong jab indemnity fund pays out a total of HK$450,000 to 3 people over side effects Hong Kong on Wednesday said that, as of June 10, it had paid out a total of HK$450,000 (US$58,000) in compensation to three people over side effects out of 74 applications received. Most are still under review and being processed. Compensation from the HK$1 billion indemnity fund was paid to a woman in her 30s who suffered a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction as well as a man and woman in their 50s – one of whom was sent to hospital while the other experienced temporary facial paralysis, a condition known as Bell’s palsy. Hung said all three of the compensated cases so far had taken the Sinovac vaccine. “From my understanding, their allergic reactions eased … Studies show that 90 per cent of patients who suffer facial paralysis can fully recover after appropriate treatment,” he said, adding that his committee would soon begin issuing a weekly report on serious side effects. Under the fund’s guidelines, people younger than 40 who suffer serious side effects can receive up to HK$3 million (US$390,000), while those aged 40 and above can get up to HK$2.5 million. Family members of fatal cases are eligible for up to HK$2.5 million if the patient is below the age of 40, or a maximum of HK$2 million for those aged 40 or above. Hong Kong vaccine perks: vaccine giveaways for are nice, but reluctant residents prefer assurance, facts, paid days off To be eligible for compensation, a registered practitioner must certify all serious adverse reactions and the expert committee on side effects cannot have ruled out the jab as being related. As of June 13, 3,605 vaccinated residents had reported an adverse reaction. About 1.26 million people, or 16.8 per cent of the population, were fully inoculated as of Saturday. The citywide vaccine drive – which now enables children aged 12 and over to get the BioNTech vaccine – remains low despite a spate of incentives from the private sector, including lucky draws for a HK$10.8 million flat and a free private flight hosted by Cathay Pacific Airways. Hung said authorities would study potential side effects for Sinovac vaccines in children aged between three and 11, after the manufacturer said mainland health authorities had approved its use for the group. Authorities are expected to wait until the mainland-based company issues a report on the matter later in the year before deciding if they will further lower the age threshold for the vaccine. While appealing to children to take jabs to protect the elderly at home, Hung added that initial clinical results on the mixing of vaccines had been satisfactory and detailed findings would be available in mid-July.