Education Corner
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage, bringing a heavy burden to the world, with cases and outbreaks still occurring in Hong Kong. To reduce the impact of COVID-19 on public health and society, vaccination is the greatest hope for the world to emerge from the epidemic. Many countries have begun rolling out vaccinations, hoping to control the pandemic as soon as possible.
So far, the government has introduced three COVID-19 vaccines:
| Vaccine Name | Sinovac (CoronaVac) | Fosun Pharma / BioNTech (Germany) (Comirnaty) | AstraZeneca & Oxford University |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Inactivated vaccine | mRNA / Messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccine | Non-replicating viral vector vaccine |
| Efficacy* | 50% to 90% (varies by region) | 95% | 70-90% |
| Technology | Uses complete, inactivated, non-toxic pathogen to induce immune response in the body. | mRNA instructs cells to produce a protein, triggering an immune response to prevent virus invasion. | Uses genetic engineering to add virus spike protein gene to adenovirus; unloads gene in cells to induce immune response. |
| Manufacturer | Sinovac Biotech | Fosun Pharma & BioNTech (Germany) | AstraZeneca & Oxford University |
| Production Location | Beijing, China | Germany | No relevant data available |
| Doses | 2 doses, 28 days apart | 2 doses, at least 21 days apart | 2 doses |
| Eligible Age | 18 years and above | 16 years and above | |
| Storage Temperature | 2-8°C | -70°C | Can be stored at 2-5°C for 5 days; 2-8°C |
Notes: Requires special cold storage and dilution first.
*For reference only; check official latest announcements for accurate data.
Possible Side Effects
Most vaccines are generally safe, with common mild and temporary side effects like slight fever, redness, swelling, or pain at the injection site. Some people may experience more serious adverse reactions, but these are generally rare.
Vaccination Program
The COVID-19 vaccination program is about to launch, offering free COVID-19 vaccines to all Hong Kong citizens.
The government plans to provide vaccination services at the following locations*:
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Community Vaccination Centers (CVCs): 29 centers across Hong Kong's 18 districts, operating for at least 6 months. Open daily from 8am to 8pm. Each center offers one vaccine type: Sinovac at Kowloon Bay Sports Centre, Tin Shui Wai Tin Fai Road Sports Centre, Hong Kong Central Library, Yau Ma Tei Jordan Sau Shing Sports Centre, and Sha Tin Yuen Wo Road Sports Centre; the other 24 offer Comirnaty.
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18 General Out-patient Clinics under Hospital Authority.
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Residential care homes for the elderly and disabled (outreach service).
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Over 1,500 private clinics.
Vaccination Arrangements
Starting next Friday, 5 vaccination centers and general out-patient clinics will vaccinate priority groups; participating private doctors can join from early next month. Eligible persons can select vaccine, appointment time, and location via online system; bring ID and priority group proof on the day. Online booking is mandatory for CVCs and clinics.
*Details await government announcement.
5 Priority Groups
Based on latest scientific evidence on government-procured vaccines, overseas health authority advice, and experience, priority goes to high-risk persons and those essential for social operations, in this order:
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Healthcare workers and anti-epidemic personnel.
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Elderly aged 60+.
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Residents and staff of residential care homes for the elderly/disabled.
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Disciplined forces and public service personnel handling environmental hygiene, etc.
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Cross-boundary truck drivers, aircrew, and other port transport workers.
For 70+ elderly, up to 2 accompanying persons can get priority vaccination.
For online booking or more vaccine info, visit: www.covidvaccine.gov.hk