​The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (March 10) visited the Community Vaccination Centre (CVC) at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre to inspect the official launch of the administration of the Comirnaty vaccine on people of the priority groups who had made reservations, and to give encouragement to personnel manning the centre.

     Accompanied by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, and the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, who are responsible for co-ordinating the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, as well as the Chairman of the Hospital Authority (HA), Mr Henry Fan, Mrs Lam was briefed by the HA staff members who run the CVC on the first-day operation of the centre. The CVC at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre is one of the seven CVCs operated by the HA and was officially launched today to provide free administration service of Comirnaty vaccine for people of the priority groups who had successfully made reservations online. Pleased to note that the centre had been operating smoothly, Mrs Lam thanked the healthcare personnel and staff members working there for their participation in helping the Government vaccinate members of the public. She also chatted with people who went there to receive vaccinations and learned that they were satisfied with the vaccination arrangements.

     The COVID-19 Vaccination Programme was officially launched on February 26. The programme has since been progressively implemented by the Government, having regard to actual circumstances and the proposed framework on priority of vaccinations by the Joint Scientific Committees under the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health. At this stage, people of the 12 priority groups can receive vaccines at 15 CVCs, 18 general out-patient clinics of the HA and private doctor clinics. An additional 12 CVCs will commence operation next Tuesday (March 16) to provide more vaccination quotas. Over 110 000 persons have received their first vaccination dose since the commencement of the programme.

     "The two COVID-19 vaccines currently provided to members of the public were assessed by experts and approved by the Secretary for Food and Health in accordance with the law for emergency use in Hong Kong. They are safe and effective. The Government has also set up a monitoring mechanism earlier, under which experts would review clinical events and explain them to the public at the earliest opportunity. Members of the public should be put at ease," Mrs Lam said.

     "I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have participated in the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, including healthcare workers, experts, colleagues of relevant departments and various partners from the public and private sectors, as well as members of public who have received or plan to receive vaccinations. Our joint efforts will help Hong Kong get through the epidemic gradually. I appeal to people of the priority groups to get vaccinated as soon as possible in order to protect yourself and others."

Ends/Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Issued at HKT 22:55

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