Coronavirus: Finally, Hong Kong hit the 70 per cent vaccination mark. But does it matter now and should it be aiming for 90 or even 100?
- Experts say social-distancing measures should be eased only gradually, as threat from coronavirus variants still lingers
- Ongoing booster programme raises hope that inoculation drive will be back in the spotlight, and more people will sign up for jabs in general
Hong Kong should aim for a vaccination rate of at least 90 per cent against the coronavirus, health experts have said, after the city took almost nine months to hit its initial target of 70 per cent on Tuesday.
The call to ramp up inoculation numbers came on the back of the November 11 roll-out of the local booster programme, as Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and senior officials also received their third jab, raising expectations a fresh round of momentum could fuel a sluggish overall uptake for shots.
Experts said other efforts, such as requiring the use of a vaccine passport for access to public venues, should also be considered to speed up the process.
On Tuesday night, Hong Kong finally reached its initial mark of a 70 per cent first-dose vaccination rate for its eligible population since the inoculation drive was launched in February. The city saw a surge in vaccinations from June to September, when perks from a flat lottery to shopping vouchers were dangled, but the rate has plateaued since October.
In the past month, only 125,710 people had received their first dose, contrasting with more than 974,000 getting their first jab between July 1 and August 1.
Without specifying a number, Lam had earlier said achieving a high vaccination rate would be one of the key factors in talks over fully reopening the border with mainland China.
Experts also said a higher vaccination rate would be needed to prevent large outbreaks in the community under the threat of more transmissible coronavirus variants.