Coronavirus: family members’ objections pose roadblock for Hong Kong’s home vaccination service, up to 20 per cent of bookings cancelled last minute
- Hong Kong Council of Social Service says it has encountered cases where a booking was made but a relative shows up on appointment day to voice disapproval
- Other cancellation reasons include elderly residents testing positive for Covid-19, or reporting high blood pressure
![Most deaths amid Hong Kong’s fifth wave involve the elderly, who have the lowest vaccination rate among the population. Photo: Jelly Tse](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2022/04/02/55352002-6598-4c1e-b234-6b00e34281cd_1b64cf24.jpg?itok=qkhgjTKV&v=1648881779)
The objections of family members have stymied efforts in a Covid-19 vaccination outreach service for Hong Kong’s elderly, with up to 20 per cent of senior residents eventually cancelling bookings at the last minute.
The trend, revealed by a major NGO on Saturday, underscored the challenges authorities face in boosting inoculation rates among the elderly, but government health advisers said discussions would still proceed next week on a launch date and targeted age group for a fourth vaccine dose.
“We have cases of a family member helping [a senior resident] register for vaccination, but another member then shows up and expresses worry on the day of the injection,” said Chua Hoi-wai, chief executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service which launched the city’s first at-home jabs scheme.
“The elderly may also feel concerned after hearing of their relatives and friends being unwell following vaccination,” he added.
![Efforts will be made to better educate the elderly on the benefits of vaccination. Photo: Winson Wong Efforts will be made to better educate the elderly on the benefits of vaccination. Photo: Winson Wong](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2022/04/02/fe0821a7-30a1-44f8-8e54-5b00287799fa_c5a57127.jpg)
Chua said so far only 10 per cent of the 7,000 elderly residents who registered for the programme had received a shot, but up to 20 per cent had cancelled their appointments for the outreach service.
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