Coronavirus booster shots for Hong Kong expected in November; approval likely for children aged 5 to 11 to get BioNTech vaccine
- Health adviser says those opting for third Sinovac shot may require another dose months later
- Vaccination campaign for age group could launch within a month, expert says, while city records three new infections on Saturday, all imported
Covid-19 booster shots for Hongkongers could be available in November at the earliest, the Post has learned, but those choosing a third Chinese-made Sinovac jab may need another dose months later, according to an expert.
The latest development in the city’s vaccination drive emerged on Saturday while it was also revealed that authorities were likely to approve the use of the German-produced BioNTech vaccine for children aged five to 11 “very soon”.
Professor Lau Yu-lung, who chairs the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), told the Post that boosters of the two vaccine types used in the city could be given out in November.
“The administration of the third dose could begin by the end of November,” Lau said, noting he was told by health officials of the planned arrangement.
Two other sources familiar with the matter also confirmed the timeline of the booster programme.
The centre’s joint scientific committee had on Wednesday recommended that immunocompromised people, the elderly aged 60 or older and workers with high exposure risk to Covid-19 would need a booster shot.