Coronavirus: Hong Kong extends vaccination scheme to October; officials set sights on 70 per cent coverage by end of next month
- Community vaccination centres will continue to operate beyond September’s previously scheduled closure amid higher demand for the jabs
- Hong Kong confirms 2 imported Covid-19 cases, from Russia and the United States
Keeping the community vaccination centres open for another month forms part of the government’s latest push towards herd immunity against the coronavirus amid higher uptake of the jabs.
“The demand for Covid-19 vaccination has increased recently. Should the vaccination progress be maintained at the current pace or increase, it is likely that 70 per cent of the eligible population will at least have had their first dose of a vaccine by the end of September,” a government spokesman said on Friday.
Civil Service chief Patrick Nip Tak-kuen earlier expressed confidence in hitting that goal if the city could maintain its daily rate of administering at least 30,000 jabs.
As of Friday, a total of 6.06 million vaccine shots had been administered to the public, exceeding the 6 million mark for the first time. About 3.43 million people, or 45.8 per cent of the city’s population, have received their first dose, while 2.63 million, or 35 per cent of the population, have received their second shot.
Ministers have repeatedly said a full border reopening with mainland China hinged on local vaccination rates, with the 70 per cent mark previously touted by health experts and some officials as a key target. Hong Kong reached the milestone this week of having half its eligible population vaccinated with a first dose.
Bookings for the extended vaccination period from September 1 will start on Saturday at 26 of the centres, which will be condensed from the current network of 29 facilities.