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
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.
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.
