Coronavirus: Hong Kong rolls out fourth vaccine dose for residents aged 18 to 59, as health experts advise against making jab compulsory
- Those who deem themselves at high risk of exposure and who received third dose at least six months prior can opt for the shot, available as Sinovac or BioNTech jab
- Authorities also vow to closely follow small outbreak at secondary school in Southern district
The launch of the expanded scheme came as authorities vowed on Saturday to keep a “close eye” on a co-educational secondary school in Southern district after the emergence of a small cluster of infections involving three students from the same class.
The city logged 228 new Covid-19 cases on the same day, including 16 imported ones, taking the overall tally to 1,210,159. With no new deaths reported, the number of fatalities related to the virus remained at 9,370.
The government announced the launch of the fourth round of vaccinations a day after recommendations were presented by a joint scientific committee under the Centre for Health Protection.
“Experts considered that a [fourth vaccine dose] in younger populations may provide transient additional protection against infection and symptomatic diseases,” a government spokesman said. “Some people may want to receive a fourth dose due to personal needs, such as studying abroad or to fulfil a requirement for overseas travel.”
Healthcare workers or those in care homes, as well as personnel involved in anti-pandemic work, might also be considered to be at higher risk of exposure, the spokesman added.
