New batch of BioNTech vaccine to arrive on Friday, citizens urged to take first jab before late-August

A new batch of the German-made BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will be delivered to Hong Kong this Friday (May 14), according to a source familiar with the matter.

Hong Kong's vaccination program was officially launched on February 26, and until now, nearly 1.8 million doses of vaccine have been administered to the public. About 605,000 people have received the first dose of the BioNTech vaccine, while over 340,000 people have received two doses of the vaccine.

Currently, citizens aged above 16 years old are allowed to take the BioNTech vaccine. This type of vaccine is only provided in the city's community vaccination centers due to its high storage requirements. The government announced earlier that the community vaccination centers will only operate until the end of September.

Secretary for the Civil Service, Patrick Nip said that 7.5 million doses of the BioNTech vaccine have been ordered and will arrive in batches in the next few months. He reminded people who want to take a BioNTech jab to receive the first dose by the end of August, so that they can receive the second dose before the vaccination centers terminate service.