Hong Kong health authority clarifies Covid-19 vaccine rollout details
Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection clarifies Covid-19 vaccination arrangements, noting high initial uptake but lower booster rates among high-risk groups. It confirms a temporary adult vaccine supply gap until December, due to new formulation production and delivery timelines.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of Hong Kong has issued a clarification on Covid-19 vaccination arrangements, emphasising that scientific evidence shows vaccines effectively reduce severe disease and death risks. The CHP follows recommendations from the World Health Organization and its own scientific committees, encouraging timely vaccination to lower the risk of severe outcomes from Covid-19. After years of government and sector efforts, Hong Kong's initial-dose vaccination rate exceeds 90 per cent, ranking high internationally.
Regarding booster doses, the joint scientific committee recommends them only for high-risk groups, with a minimum interval of 180 days after the last vaccine dose or Covid-19 infection, whichever is later. This naturally results in a lower booster uptake rate. Many infected individuals, due to repeat infections or vaccination, have mild symptoms and do not seek medical care, limiting the government's ability to accurately calculate group vaccination rates.
The CHP earlier announced that LP.8.1 vaccines for children and adults expired in mid-July and early September 2026 respectively, with production and delivery of new-formulation vaccines taking time. Since 29 October, the centre has provided Spikevax XFG messenger RNA vaccines for children aged six months to 11 years. The first batch of new Spikevax XFG vaccines for people aged 12 and above is expected to arrive in December, restoring market supply and allowing private doctors to order from manufacturers as usual. The temporary absence of adult Covid-19 vaccines during this transition is normal and short-lived.
On vaccination locations, the government has set up 75 sites across Hong Kong, including public hospital specialist clinics, family medicine clinics, private clinics and maternal and child health centres, to balance convenience, reduce vaccine waste and ensure efficacy. The CHP recommends that priority individuals receive both seasonal influenza and Covid-19 booster vaccines simultaneously to reduce severe complications and death risk from co-infection. Eligible people can receive both vaccines at all current Covid-19 vaccination points. The centre believes no further expansion of vaccination sites is needed at this stage.
Responding to a survey indicating nearly 40 per cent of doctors do not proactively remind patients about Covid-19 vaccination, the CHP expressed concern and urged healthcare workers to remind patients about timely vaccination. Even if their clinics do not offer vaccination services, they should provide information on the government's Covid-19 vaccination programme to protect public health. The centre will continue to enhance promotion and education through online and offline channels, reminding priority groups to get vaccinated as soon as the new supplies for those aged 12 and above become available.
