Coronavirus: Hong Kong to launch door-knock campaign to encourage elderly to get vaccinated
- Fresh push will include organising special days where no appointment is necessary for a jab, civil service chief reveals
- City records four new imported coronavirus cases, involving arrivals from the Philippines, Canada, Japan and United Arab Emirates
Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip Tak-kuen, who oversees the city’s vaccination drive, stressed the programme was still behind its target of inoculating at least 70 per cent of the eligible population. Fewer than 30 per cent of residents aged over 70 had taken their first dose and the rate was substantially lower for those older than 80, he noted.
“Elderly people in the city are the group least interested in vaccination. We have to be more proactive, and make getting into the community to reach senior people our coming strategy,” he told a radio programme.
The city recorded four new cases on Saturday, all imported and involving a domestic helper from the Philippines, an aircrew member from Canada and arrivals from Japan and the United Arab Emirates. Fewer than five people tested preliminary-positive. The city’s tally of confirmed infections stood at 12,142, with 212 related deaths.
Separately, 16 crew members who had worked on a cargo vessel named Ever Calm tested positive for Covid-19 upon arrival in Osaka on September 9 after sailing from Hong Kong. It was docked at the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals for two days beginning on September 2. People who had worked on the vessel and remained in the city will be issued with mandatory testing notices.
In addition to taking their message door to door, authorities would work with the Social Welfare Department to arrange day-long vaccination sessions in all 18 districts for which no appointment would be needed, Nip said.
Talks would be organised at some housing estates and malls, with free consultations and immediate vaccination provided on site.
