The Government announced today (May 21) that uninfected individuals aged 18 to 59 who are at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure or with personal needs may choose to receive a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine from now on, no matter they have received the BioNTech or the Sinovac vaccine for their previous doses.

     As the online booking system is being updated, from today until May 25, persons who are eligible for a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine may go to Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) (except those located at private hospitals and the Satellite Community Vaccination Centre at Leighton Centre) or Hospital COVID-19 Vaccination Stations (HCVSs) to get a same-day ticket for vaccination.

     Starting from 8am on May 26, members of the public can make reservations for vaccination through the designated website of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk).

     For individuals aged 18 to 59 who choose to receive a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine, please note that in response to expert advice, they may choose to receive a fourth dose at least six months from their third dose. For recovered adults in the same age group, now they can receive their third dose six months after they have received their second dose or their recovery (whichever is later).

     "Experts considered a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine in younger populations may provide transient additional protection against infection and symptomatic diseases. Some people may want to receive a fourth dose due to personal needs, such as studying abroad or aiming to fulfill a requirement for overseas travel. Moreover, for persons with higher risk of COVID-19 exposure (including workers in healthcare settings, residential care homes for the elderly or residential care homes for persons with disabilities) or workers at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational setting (such as personnel participating in anti-epidemic related work; personnel providing cross-boundary transportation or working at control points and ports), they may also choose to receive their fourth dose. As for persons aged 60 or above, they have been allowed to choose to get vaccinated with their fourth dose since early April," a Government spokesman said.

     The updated consensus interim recommendations by the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases under the Centre for Health Protection are available in the following press release: www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202205/20/P2022052000284.htm

     Apart from the 26 CVCs and 13 HCVSs, members of the public can also choose to receive the vaccination for free at 43 designated general out-patient clinics of the Hospital Authority, over 1 000 private doctors and clinics providing the Sinovac vaccination service, and the 75 venues operated by private healthcare institutions providing the BioNTech vaccine, and more.

Ends/Saturday, May 21, 2022
Issued at HKT 8:00

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