Coronavirus: Hong Kong may lower age threshold for getting fourth shot of vaccine, expert says, as city logs 4,274 new cases

Chinese University Professor David Hui Shu-cheong on Sunday said a team of experts would consider advising the government to lower the age threshold for getting the fourth vaccine shot in autumn.

Hui is a member of the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases advising the government on Covid-19 policies.

“We need to stay on guard about whether there will be a new coronavirus strain in winter, so in the autumn we need to get prepared and will consider lowering the age threshold for getting vaccination,” Hui, an infectious disease expert, told a television show.

“It’s only a matter of time that the age threshold will be lowered for getting the fourth jab as people’s antibody levels will drop after a certain period of time from their third shot or previous infection.”

Hong Kong on Sunday reported 4,274 new Covid-19 infections, including 239 imported cases, and five additional deaths. The city’s Covid-19 tally stands at 1,380,988 cases, with 9,533 related fatalities.

At present, the government advises those aged 18 to 59 to get a fourth dose of a Covid-19 vaccine at least six months after receiving their third jab, with healthcare workers or those in care homes, as well as personnel involved in anti-pandemic work, considered high-risk groups. Those aged between 50 and 59 can, however, can get the fourth shot three months after the third one.