People as young as 12 years old are eligible to get their Covid-19 vaccine!
Hong Kong residents aged 12 or above are eligible for receiving free Covid-19 vaccination.
Why should we get vaccinated?
One of the main benefits of the vaccine is that people who are fully vaccinated are less likely to be infected by the coronavirus that causes the Covid-19 disease. While they may not be completely protected, those who are exposed to the virus may not become as sick. Moreover, experts such as respiratory medicine specialist Dr Leung Chi-chiu state that fully vaccinated people can safely gather in small groups.
Types of vaccines available in Hong Kong
CoronaVac by Sinovac
CoronaVac is indicated for people aged 18 and above. It is an inactivated vaccine that consists of inactivated viral particles, and allows the body’s immune system to be exposed to the virus without risking a serious disease response. Two doses are given, with the second dose preferably injected 28 days after the first. Possible side effects include pain in the injection site, headache and fatigue.
Comirnaty by Fosun Pharma and BioNTech
Comirnaty is an mRNA vaccine given to people of age 12 or above. It contains a molecule that temporarily induces the body’s cells to produce a protein found on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing the body’s immune system to produce antibodies and white blood cells to fight against the foreign proteins. Later, if the actual virus enters the body, the immune system will recognise it and produce the same antibodies in defence. Recipients are given two injections at least 21 days apart. Possible side effects include pain and swelling in the injection site, tiredness, chills, joint pain, diarrhoea, headache, muscle pain and fever.
According to HKU microbiologist Dr Ho Pak-leung, this vaccine was 90% effective in preventing people from infection in the first six months of the observation period.
Locations in Hong Kong to receive vaccination
Community Vaccination Centres (CVC) (booking is required)
Designated general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) of the Hospital Authority (booking is required)
Designated private clinics
Residential care homes and nursing homes
Designated clinics of the Department of Health (DH)
Outreach vaccination service
Lists of specific eligible locations can be accessed at https://www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/en/programme.
How do I book a Covid-19 vaccination appointment?
Hong Kong residents can book an appointment online via the official Hong Kong government website of the Covid-19 vaccination programme (https://booking.covidvaccine.gov.hk/forms/index.jsp).
Sources:
Covid: What do we know about China’s coronavirus vaccines? (2021, Jan 14). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-55212787.
Department of Health & Center for Health Protection. (2021, Jun 11). Comirnaty Vaccination Fact Sheet. https://www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/pdf/COVID19VaccinationFactSheet_Comirnaty_ENG.pdf.
Department of Health & Center for Health Protection. (2021, Mar 22). CoronaVac Vaccination Fact Sheet. https://www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/pdf/COVID19VaccinationFactSheet_CoronaVac_ENG.pdf.
Choy, G. & Tsang, E. (2021, Apr 8). Coronavirus: what does getting vaccinated offer Hongkongers and how will it affect travel, quarantine and social-distancing rules? South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/coronavirus/explainers-faqs/article/3128624/coronavirus-what-does-getting-vaccinated-offer.
European Medicines Agency. (n.d.). Comirnaty. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/comirnaty.
Writing: Jessica Leung
Editing: Katherine Yan
Thumbnail: Ran Zhao
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