Hong Kong must do whatever it takes to drive up Covid-19 vaccination rate

Countries that are ahead in the race to herd immunity are reopening their economy and borders, and societies grappling with vaccine hesitancy, like Hong Kong, must step up efforts to catch up
More information, incentives and an appeal to people’s sense of duty must all be tried

Ken Chu

Published: 5:15am, 29 May 2021

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Last year, the world began its race to contain Covid-19. Despite the successful development of various vaccines, only a handful of countries appear to be ahead in the race.

These fortunate countries are mainly those that have rolled out mass vaccination programmes for their population, such as the US, the UK, Israel and China. In fact, the World Health Organization has said that some 10 countries in the world account for 75 per cent of the vaccine doses administered so far.

Vaccination is important. Preventive measures such as the frequent washing of hands, wearing masks and maintaining social distancing play a role in containing the virus spread, but getting people vaccinated is most vital, according to the WHO.

Many scientists agree that the vaccination rate needed to induce herd immunity is around 70 per cent of the population. Vaccination greatly reduces the risk of infection, and having a significant proportion of the population vaccinated will also create herd immunity, a wall of defence against the virus that will help to impede its further spread and possible mutation.

Countries with robust vaccination programmes have seen infection cases plummeting. The US, the UK and Israel are reopening their economies at speed. The European Commission recently announced plans for a digital Covid-19 certificate as proof of vaccination to enable people to travel freely within EU, heralding the widespread application of a Covid-19 passport for global travel.

Meanwhile, the two largest economies in the world, the US and China, are setting a good example – their vaccine roll-outs show no sign of slowing. These two superpowers are this time engaged in a race that will benefit the whole world, no matter who wins, because the sooner their economies – with a combined GDP accounting for nearly 40 per cent of the global total – return to normal, the faster the rest of the world can get back on their feet.

China is aiming to inoculate at least 40 per cent of its population by the end of June. So far, more than 500 million doses have been administered.

In the US, half of the country’s adults are fully vaccinated. The government recently expanded vaccination to its 17 million children aged 12 to 15, after a similar campaign for teenagers 16 and above was rolled out in most states in April. By mid-May, 39.3 per cent of the American population had received two doses of the vaccines.

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Although there are great benefits for people to get inoculated, some experts have warned that global vaccination rates may soon flatten because of vaccine supply bottlenecks in some places, and vaccine hesitancy in others. A main reason for people adopting a “wait and see” attitude is the fear of severe side effects or unforeseen allergic reactions.

To drive vaccination, many countries are doing whatever it takes to tempt, if not coerce, their citizens to get inoculated. Some countries in Europe such as Serbia and some states in the US are offering cash and lotteries with huge jackpots to entice people to get the jab.

However, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has ruled out offering cash to people to promote vaccination. With our first batch of vaccines set to expire in mid-August, it would be unthinkable if Hong Kong were to allow them to go to waste when so many other countries are in desperate need. The government should seriously consider donating unused vaccines to other countries.

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Given this, we have to come up with other ideas to encourage vaccination among Hongkongers. Currently, about 12 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated, far below the threshold needed for herd immunity.

Beyond the public sector driving awareness, the private sector can play a part too, by offering incentives for vaccinated people. For example, monetary incentives – like the lucky draw with a HK$10.8 million flat as the grand prize – air tickets and staycations can all help to boost vaccination rates. Their collective effort will get Hong Kong’s economy and society back to normal, so it will ultimately be good for business.

We should also convince those sitting on the fence to see the facts clearly, supported by statistics. As just one example, the number of people dying from cancer or in car accidents is far higher than those who die as a result of getting Covid-19 jabs.

The global race to get people inoculated is critical, because even if most people in wealthy countries are protected after receiving vaccines, the virus could continue to mutate and transform into another deadly variant in poor countries where vaccination rates are low.

The last thing we need is for citizens with no pre-existing health conditions to hold back. While everyone is free to make their own choice, now is the time to ditch the “wait and see” attitude and do what’s right: get vaccinated.

Ken Chu is group chairman and CEO of Mission Hills Group and a national committee member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference