https://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/Utility/GetImage.ashx?ImageID=89c5ddaf-be2e-489c-9bc4-dec76bd4c70e&refreshStamp=0
If you’ve been waiting for the COVID-19 vaccine to be available in Hong Kong, then you’re in luck. Online bookings opened up through the Hong Kong Government’s
COVID-19 Vaccination Program just a few days ago. Even though the SAR has kept the situation relatively under control and implemented strong COVID-19 testing measures, a vaccination program is necessary for life to return to normal. Our friends at
Pacific Prime Hong Kong are here to get you up to speed on the COVID-19 vaccine in Hong Kong.
When can I get my COVID-19 vaccine in Hong Kong?
Online bookings for Hong Kong’s vaccination program opened up on February 23, 2021. Around 70,000 Hong Kong residents quickly
filled in all slots for the first two weeks, with priority given to 2.4 million individuals, including those in high-risk groups and frontline workers. According to the regional government website, all slots between February 26 and March 11 are taken. After the initial jabs are administered on Friday the 26th, the vaccination drive will be executed in phases that are expected to continue for up to six months.
Where can I get the vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccine will be administered in several
venues, including:
- Community Vaccination Centers (CVC)
- The Hospital Authority’s designated general outpatient clinics (GOPCs)
- Designated private clinics
- Residential care homes
- Designated clinics of the Department of Health (DH)
Through the online booking system, eligible Hong Kong residents can choose the vaccine and reserve a slot at the CVC of their choice for their first and second doses. More details on vaccination venues will be announced in due course.
https://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/Utility/GetImage.ashx?ImageID=c666b00a-99bf-4c43-9bfd-d01a6bab8e0d&refreshStamp=0
Which COVID-19 vaccines are available in Hong Kong?
The Hong Kong government plans to offer the following COVID-19 vaccines to the public:
- Sinovac Biotech’s CoronaVac
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- AstraZeneca-Oxford University
It’s worth noting that the vaccine isn’t mandatory. While people in Hong Kong can choose their preferred vaccine, Sinovac Biotech’s CoronaVac and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are currently the only officially-approved vaccines for use in Hong Kong.
Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
While the COVID-19 vaccine is considered safe for use, and Hong Kong experts have approved the Pfizer-BioNTech and Sinovac Biotech vaccines, some groups of people should wait for more data to be collected before getting their jab, including:
- Pregnant women
- Individuals with severe drug allergies
- Immunocompromised individuals, such as cancer patients
- Children
How much will the vaccine cost?
Those with a valid Hong Kong Identification Card (HKID) can get the vaccine for free. However, it remains unclear whether Hong Kong residents without valid HKIDs, as well as non-Hong Kong residents, will qualify for the vaccine from the Hong Kong government. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine in Hong Kong, take a look at our Guide to the COVID-19 Vaccination Program.