Children between the ages of five and 11 can begin receiving the Sinovac coronavirus vaccine from Friday, while reservations for children’s BioNTech jabs open next month.
See also: HKFP Guide: Receiving a Covid-19 vaccine in Hong Kong
Last week, the government announced it would lower the age threshold for the China-made Covid-19 vaccine Sinovac from 12 to five. Days later, a panel of experts recommended that children as young as five may receive a smaller dose of the BioNTech vaccine for off-label use.
Sinovac
- For children to receive the Sinovac jab at a community vaccination centre or specified clinics under the Hospital Authority, parents or legal guardians may begin booking appointments through the government’s Covid-19 website from 8 a.m. on Friday, with same-day vaccinations available.
- The Health Department’s Student Health Service Centres in Chai Wan, Lam Tin, Sha Tin, Tuen Mun and Western District will offer the jabs to children with reservations.
- A list of private doctors in the city will also administer Sinovac to children.
Children administered with the Sinovac vaccine will receive their second dose after a 28-day interval.
Meanwhile the government will field outreach requests from schools to organise doctors’ visits or to deploy mobile vaccination stations to campuses to offer jabs.
BioNTech
- The German-made BioNTech vaccine will only be available at three community vaccination centres dedicated to children, owing to the procedures needed to dilute it for appropriate dosage.
- Starting on February 9, parents may make reservations on behalf of their children through the government booking website. Vaccinations will begin on February 16.
- Appointments for the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital in Ngau Tau Kok and the Yuen Chau Kok Sports centre in Sha Tin will be available starting February 16.
- Appointments for Gleneagles Hospital in Wong Chuk Hang will be available from February 24.
Children who receive the BioNTech vaccine will take their second dose after a three-month interval.
The government will also offer a special appointment service for schools at the children’s vaccination centres or transportation services, upon request.
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