HK: Vaccination activity held in North District

An activity covering a health talk on COVID-19 vaccines and vaccinations for the elderly in North District was held at Luen Wo Hui Community Hall in Fanling on Oct. 11.

About 210 people took part in the activity. They could choose to receive the Sinovac vaccine on site or receive the BioNTech jab at the community vaccination centre (CVC) at Lung Sum Avenue Sports Centre.

Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip attended the activity to encourage senior citizens to learn about the importance of getting vaccinated through the health talk and receive their jab as early as possible.

He noted that after a period with no local COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong, a recent positive local case involving a mutant strain showed that there is an immediate need to build a protective shield in the community.

Mr Nip said: "Under the threat posed by highly transmissible mutant strains, elderly people who are not vaccinated will be subject to an extremely high risk of getting seriously ill and dying from COVID-19 infection.

"I hope that members of the public, in particular elderly people, can have a correct understanding of the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines."

Currently, eligible people can collect same-day tickets and get vaccinated without prior bookings at the CVCs. They can also make online bookings for vaccinations or receive the Sinovac vaccine through private doctors or clinics participating in the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.

Furthermore, the COVID-19 vaccination stations in Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and Tuen Mun hospitals have started operation to enable patients visiting the hospitals for follow-up appointments and visitors to receive the BioNTech vaccination without advance booking.