The Government announced today (April 15) that the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will be expanded to cover persons aged 16 to 29. The minimum age for receiving the BioNTech vaccine is 16, and that for receiving the Sinovac vaccine is 18. Separately, the Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) across the territory are expected to operate until the end of September.
 
     "Taking into account the supply of the vaccines and the operation of the Vaccination Programme, we have decided to expand the programme to allow more people to get vaccinated as early as possible to protect oneself and others," a Government spokesman said.
 
     Persons in the above age group can make reservations starting from 9am on April 23 through the online booking system on the designated website of the Vaccination Programme (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk) for receiving vaccines at 29 CVCs and 18 general out-patient clinics of the Hospital Authority (HA). They can also make appointments for vaccinations with private doctors or clinics participating in the programme.
 
     After lowering the age threshold for vaccinations, people whose identity documents show that they are aged 18 or above can receive vaccinations without the need to produce other supporting documents. However, people aged 16 and 17 are required to bring along a consent form signed by their parents to receive their vaccinations. The consent form can be downloaded from the designated website.
 
     Meanwhile, the CVCs at Tseung Kwan O Sports Centre, Osman Ramju Sadick Memorial Sports Centre and Yau Oi Sports Centre, which administer the Sinovac vaccine currently, will soon switch to provide BioNTech vaccination services as originally planned.
 
     The CVCs at Tseung Kwan O Sports Centre and Yau Oi Sports Centre will provide BioNTech vaccination services starting from April 20. They will concurrently provide services up to April 30 to a small number of persons who have made second-dose Sinovac vaccination appointments. During the two-week transitional period, the venues of the two CVCs will be delineated into two distinct zones for administering the two vaccines separately. Diversion arrangements will be made at the entrance and clear instructions and signage will also be displayed inside the venue for easy identification. The CVC at Osman Ramju Sadick Memorial Sports Centre will offer BioNTech vaccination services starting from May 1.
 
     Commencing May 1, the number of CVCs administering the BioNTech vaccine will increase to 24, and five CVCs will provide vaccination services for the Sinovac vaccine.
 
     Members of the public can book the BioNTech vaccination at the three CVCs through the online booking system at the designated website from 9am tomorrow (April 16).
 
     Taking into account the supply of the BioNTech vaccine, the vaccination rate and its limitations in storage, the CVCs administering the BioNTech vaccine are expected to operate until the end of September. People wishing to receive the BioNTech vaccine must make an appointment to receive the first dose by the end of August in order to complete the vaccination of two doses by the end of September for better protection from the vaccine.
 
     The CVCs which administer the Sinovac vaccine are also expected to operate up to the end of September. As the Sinovac vaccine can be stored for a longer period, the Government will continue to provide Sinovac vaccination services through more than 1,600 private doctors participating in the programme and the 18 general out-patient clinics of the HA.
 
     Members of the public can search for information about all vaccination venues through the GeoInfo Map (www.map.gov.hk/gm/map/s/m/communityvaccinationservicesofcovid) and the Interactive Map Dashboard of COVID-19 (chp-dashboard.geodata.gov.hk/covid-19/en.html) on the designated website.

Ends/Thursday, April 15, 2021
Issued at HKT 18:31

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