Coronavirus: more than 11,000 Hongkongers receive BioNTech shots as roll-out resumes after nearly two-week suspension
- Health authorities had stopped distribution after identifying more than 50 defects to vials – including cracks, leaks and exterior stains
- Government pandemic adviser also says vaccination mix-up involving cancer patient is unlikely to happen again given stringent checks in place at inoculation venues
About 5,200 residents received their first dose, while another 6,500 took their second one. The day before the suspension on March 24, about 14,400 people received their first jab of BioNTech.
The roll-out was suspended on the advice of the German manufacturer and Chinese distributor Fosun Pharma. Frontline staff had identified more than 50 defects to vials – including cracks, leaks and exterior stains – of the vaccine, which was jointly developed by US-based Pfizer.
Dozens of people were lining up for the shots at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre in the morning. Among them was James Cook, 61, who was taking his second dose.
“I went with BioNTech because I’ve worked with Pfizer in the past, and I trust that the vaccines are of good quality,” he said. “Obviously I want to travel, but I also want to do my duty as a citizen.”
But Filipino domestic worker Melissa Tolentino, 39, complained the queue was too long.
