Coronavirus: online bookings for BioNTech’s new Omicron-specific vaccine to open in Hong Kong on Sunday, with jabs available from Thursday

Online bookings will open in Hong Kong on Sunday for BioNTech’s second-generation Covid-19 vaccine that targets the Omicron variant, with the new jabs set to be available as a fourth dose from Thursday. The first batch of the booster shots arrived as the city recorded 8,874 new coronavirus infections on Saturday, marking a 24 per cent week-on-week jump in cases according to a Post analysis. The increase in infection numbers in the “80 or above” and “three to 11” age groups was much higher than the city’s average, rising by 34.1 per cent and 31.6 per cent respectively. A senior health official warned that further easing Covid-19 restrictions would be like “adding fuel to the fire”, which would make Hong Kong’s pandemic situation “burn more fiercely”. “There will be no room [for future easing] if we rush through relaxation,” Undersecretary for Health Libby Lee Ha-yun said in a television interview on Saturday. “Some people said they are not afraid … But I would like you to take care of the elderly and children at home as they may not be as strong as you are.” Authorities said the German-made bivalent shot against Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, the dominant strains in the city, could be given as a fourth dose or a third one for recovered individuals from Thursday. Residents aged 50 or above, immunocompromised people aged over 12, and those who are older than 18 and have a higher risk of Covid-19 exposure are urged to get the shots. Covid rise: Hong Kong close to cutting non-emergency public hospital services Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan, who is in charge of the city’s vaccination drive, said: “From [Sunday], the public can choose between the bivalent vaccine and the one based on the original virus strain when they make appointments online.” From December 1, the newly arrived bivalent dose will be offered at community vaccination centres, as well as at inoculation stations in hospitals, designated general outpatient clinics and private clinics. Those aged 60 or above may choose their preferred vaccine type on-site without booking online. But people who have not been vaccinated or received the suitable number of doses are not allowed to opt for the bivalent formula. About 770,000 doses of the second-generation booster landed in Hong Kong. It is the first batch among a stock of 1.9 million procured by the government, with the rest expected to arrive by the end of the year. First-generation jabs currently available in Hong Kong for residents aged from six months are the BioNTech and Chinese-produced Sinovac vaccines, based on the original coronavirus strain. BioNTech’s second-generation vaccine contains a bivalent formulation, meaning it is based on two virus strains – the original type, as well as BA.4 and BA.5. Health experts advising the government had previously cited additional data proving its efficacy against both the original strain and the subvariants. About 77.9 per cent of people aged 60 or older have been triple-vaccinated, while the figure is 62 per cent for those 80 years or older. As of Saturday, 579,782 residents had received their fourth jab, which was rolled out in May. Yeung also said the vaccination take-up among young children remained sluggish and called on parents to get their kids double-jabbed at least, especially if they had travel plans during the Christmas and Lunar New Year holidays. She warned that doctors had noticed more infants or toddlers suffering from serious complications recently despite recovering from a Covid-19 infection. Only 20.4 per cent of toddlers aged under two have received one vaccine dose as of Saturday. Why some Hongkongers are still shunning Covid-19 vaccines Among the latest infections, 509 were imported, and nine more deaths were reported. The city’s total tally stands at 2,086,062 cases and 10,672 fatalities. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, meanwhile, tested negative on his sixth day in quarantine after coming down with Covid-19 upon returning from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bangkok. “Except for the occasional cough, my body is not having any particular issues,” Lee wrote on his social media platforms, adding there was only “one line” on his rapid antigen test. His polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test conducted at the airport when he returned from Thailand last Sunday night was positive.

Coronavirus: online bookings for BioNTech’s new Omicron-specific vaccine to open in Hong Kong on Sunday, with jabs available from Thursday

Experts recommend bivalent dose as a fourth jab for triple-vaccinated residents Civil service chief says inoculation rates among elderly and those aged under two remain sluggish

Experts recommend bivalent dose as a fourth jab for triple-vaccinated residents

Civil service chief says inoculation rates among elderly and those aged under two remain sluggish