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Danny Mok

The Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine will no longer be offered in Hong Kong from early October, with authorities saying they expect a new jab targeting the prevalent coronavirus variant to be available by the end of the year.
The Centre for Health Protection said on Thursday that no more supply of Sinovac’s CoronaVac jabs would be available after the current batch expired on October 3.
“The vaccine supplier confirmed that they will no longer produce the vaccines,” the centre said.
The inactivated vaccine from mainland Chinese firm Sinovac was one of two types of Covid-19 jabs available in Hong Kong at the height of the pandemic. The other option, the vaccine from German firm BioNTech, adopted mRNA technology.
The government urged unvaccinated residents who preferred to receive inactivated jabs to get the first dose within this month to allow enough time, at least 28 days, ahead of the second dose and before supplies ran out.
Those already vaccinated with the Sinovac jab can choose an mRNA vaccine to complete their initial course or as a booster.
Covid-19 vaccines from other manufacturers, such as Moderna from the United States and Cansino from mainland China, have already been registered for use in Hong Kong.

Malaysia and Thailand announced in 2021 that they would stop using the Sinovac vaccine when their supplies ran out.
Following an earlier recommendation by the World Health Organization and the centre’s two scientific committees, the government also said it was working with suppliers to procure vaccines targeting JN.1, the most prevalent variant locally.
The new jabs are expected to be supplied for use by the year’s end, with new vaccination arrangements to be announced later.
The centre said Covid-19 levels had been increasing locally since June and were expected to rise further.
“High-risk priority groups should get vaccinated as soon as possible and receive booster doses at appropriate times,” the centre said.
The authorities said arrangements for those receiving their initial doses would be simplified, given that most people had been infected with the virus before.
From August 19, residents aged five or above who have received one mRNA jab or two shots of an inactivated vaccine will be considered to have completed their primary series of Covid-19 vaccination, regardless of their history of coronavirus infection.
Children aged six months to four years who have previously been infected with Covid-19 will need one mRNA jab or two of inactivated vaccine to be considered as having completed their vaccination.
Those in this age group who have not previously been infected should receive two or three doses based on recommendations by the vaccine manufacturers.
Arrangements for boosters will remain the same, and eligible high-risk groups will continue to enjoy free vaccinations at least six months after their last shot or Covid-19 infection, regardless of the number of doses received previously.
Those groups include adults aged 50 or above, people aged 18 to 49 with underlying comorbidities, those aged six months and above with immunocompromising conditions, pregnant women and healthcare workers.
From 9am on August 19, the updated vaccination arrangements will apply to the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme booking system. Those eligible can make reservations through the online booking system for jabs at vaccination venues.
People who book before August 19 for initial vaccination can still get their jabs on their appointment date without being affected by the updated arrangements.


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News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

Authorities say they expect new jab targeting prevalent JN.1 variant will be available by the end of the year


Authorities say they expect new jab targeting prevalent JN.1 variant will be available by the end of the year.
