The Vaccine Pass arrangement has been fully implemented from February 24.  In view of the updated COVID-19 vaccination arrangements for students and elderly persons, the Government adjusted the vaccination requirements for the Vaccine Pass correspondingly today (March 4).

     Under the latest vaccination arrangements made in accordance with the recommendation by experts, the time interval between the first dose and the second dose of Comirnaty vaccine for children and adolescents aged five to 17 will be shortened from 12 weeks to eight weeks.  Adolescents aged 12 to 17 who have received two doses of CoronaVac should receive a third dose of either CoronaVac or Comirnaty as soon as three months after the second dose. Adolescents aged 12 to 17 who had received two doses of Comirnaty can receive a third dose of the same vaccine five months from the second dose, while CoronaVac will also be made available as an alternative based on personal preference.

     In view of the updated vaccination arrangements, the Government adjusted the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for those aged 12 to 17 under the Vaccine Pass as follows:

(1) During the second stage (i.e. from April 30 to June 29), if persons aged 12 to 17 have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine for less than six months, their Vaccine Pass remains valid.  However, if they have received their first dose for at least six months, they will need to receive a second dose to continue to use the Vaccine Pass.

(2) Starting from the third stage (i.e. from June 30 onwards), if persons aged 12 to 17 have received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine for less than nine months, they can still use the Vaccine Pass.  Yet, if they have received their second dose for at least nine months, they are required to receive a third dose to continue to use the Vaccine Pass.

     The relevant COVID-19 vaccination requirements for other age groups or applicable persons (see Annex) as well as the specified premises covered by the Vaccine Pass will remain unchanged.  The above arrangement allows ample time for members of the public to receive a second or a third dose of vaccine.

     “The current epidemic situation is dire. Elderly persons and students are the targeted groups for protection by vaccination.  Updating the aforementioned vaccination requirements under the Vaccine Pass aims to encourage students to get vaccinated as early as possible and further drive up vaccination rate, thus building a protective barrier for Hong Kong against the epidemic and getting prepared for the class resumption in future.  Both COVID-19 vaccines available in Hong Kong are safe and highly effective in protecting against severe disease and death from COVID-19 infection.  We strongly appeal to unvaccinated citizens to get vaccinated as soon as possible.  We also call on parents to arrange vaccination for their children as early as possible for better protection,” a Government spokesman said.

Ends/Friday, March 4, 2022
Issued at HKT 21:35

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