Explainer | Getting a coronavirus vaccination in Hong Kong? Here’s what you need to know about the expanded scheme

Guidelines have been issued on who should not get inoculated, following the death of seven chronically ill people after receiving the Sinovac jab

But no link between the deaths and the vaccine has been found, and expert David Hui says general side effects such as muscle and joint aches are normal

Reading Time:5 minutes

Hong Kong has widened its vaccination scheme, meaning 5.5 million people are now eligible. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 7:30am, 17 Mar 2021Updated: 11:30pm, 17 Mar 2021

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers.

Hong Kong’s online booking platform for Covid-19 vaccinations experienced a sudden surge in interest on Tuesday, after the city widened the scheme to cover 5.5 million people by lowering the age threshold to 30 and including select other groups. But there are also many others who have doubts about the injections.

How much do we know about the vaccines made available to the public, for now, and how do we decide on which one to get? Here is the latest advice from the government and local health experts.

Am I eligible for the scheme?

Officials have widened the city’s vaccination drive to include all residents aged 30 and above, along with other priority groups, by covering 5.5 million people – about 80 per cent of the city’s population aged 16 or above. Domestic helpers and those studying overseas are also eligible for the scheme.

Initially, residents aged 60 or above were prioritised for the shots. Others, including health care workers, residents and staff of care homes, public service employees and cross-boundary transport workers, were also among those allowed to get the jabs first.

The programme was then expanded to include additional sectors, including catering, construction, education, tourism, public transport, property management and businesses heavily affected by social-distancing restrictions, such as gyms and beauty parlours.

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Explainer | Getting a coronavirus vaccination in Hong Kong? Here’s what you need to know about the expanded scheme

Guidelines have been issued on who should not get inoculated, following the death of seven chronically ill people after receiving the Sinovac jab But no link between the deaths and the vaccine has been found, and expert David Hui says general side effects such as muscle and joint aches are normal

Guidelines have been issued on who should not get inoculated, following the death of seven chronically ill people after receiving the Sinovac jab

But no link between the deaths and the vaccine has been found, and expert David Hui says general side effects such as muscle and joint aches are normal