A spokesman for the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (September 29) that to encourage the early vaccination of the young and old, the HAD's 18 District Offices have stepped up COVID-19 vaccination activities in various districts since August so as to enable citizens of all ages, especially children and the elderly who are more vulnerable to serious infection, to be vaccinated as early as possible to obtain the much needed proper protection for themselves and others under the epidemic situation. 

      Since August, District Offices under the HAD, together with various units such as school liaison committees, primary school heads associations, kindergarten heads associations in various districts, district health centres, rural committees, women's groups, Kaifong associations, clansman associations and Hong Kong Community Anti-Coronavirus Link have jointly held more than 60 vaccination activities at community halls and other locations in the districts to provide citizens with one more convenient and quick way for receiving vaccination. The Wong Tai Sin District Office together with the Civil Service Bureau, the Housing Department as well as district group Wong Tai Sin Community Anti-Coronavirus Link and the Hong Kong Association of Property Services Agents also rolled out a pilot scheme on September 17 and 18 at Tsz Hong and Tsz Man Estates of the district to visit and encourage elderly persons aged 70 or above to receive COVID-19 vaccination, and arrange them to participate in vaccination events in the district or receive the Home Vaccination Service.

     As at September 28, around 11 800 citizens including about 600 young children aged from 6 months to 3 years and over 1 900 elderly persons aged 70 or above were vaccinated in these activities.

     In addition, District Offices have organised activities like talks, visits to schools and welfare and local organisations, as well as distribution of publicity pamphlets, etc, to promote vaccination among the public. Since August, a total of about 40 such activities have been conducted, reaching over 27 000 man times. 

      Increasing the vaccination rate plays an important part in anti-epidemic work. The Home Affairs Department thanked all sectors of the community for fighting against the epidemic in solidarity and providing support to vaccination activities organised by various District Offices, such that citizens can be vaccinated as early as possible and high-risk groups can obtain effective protection. The District Offices will continue to hold vaccination activities at various districts to enable citizens to receive vaccination.

Ends/Thursday, September 29, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:25

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