Coronavirus: unvaccinated elderly Hongkongers 21 times more likely to die from Covid in fifth wave than peers who received at least 2 shots
- Professor Philip Li, president of the Hong Kong College of Physicians, says almost 350,000 residents aged over 60 still have not received a single shot
- Many elderly residents are still hesitant to get jabs because of misconceptions about safety and side effects, he says
Unvaccinated residents aged over 60 have been 21 times more likely to die from Covid-19 during Hong Kong’s fifth wave of infections than those who received at least two doses of a vaccine, health experts have warned, urging the elderly to get inoculated as soon as possible.
Professor Philip Li Kam-tao, president of Hong Kong College of Physicians, on Sunday said almost 350,000 residents aged over 60 still had not received a single shot.
“If the sixth wave comes, they will be exposed to very high risks [of serious conditions and death],” he said.
“Already 9,000 people have died from Covid-19 in these three months. Many elderly were hospitalised or might have died without dignity. I hope the elderly who are still alive will understand that vaccination can help their families and themselves.”
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The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the University of Hong Kong analysed data collected in Hong Kong from January 6 to March 21, as the fifth wave raged.