Gov't expands vaccination priority group to cover 30 and up

It will also cover students aged 16 and above studying outside of the country.

The priority group under COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will be expanded to cover people aged between 30 and 59, students aged 16 or above studying outside Hong Kong and domestic helpers, a government official said.

Members of the public in these new categories can make reservations starting 16 March through the online booking system on the designated website of the Vaccination Programme for receiving vaccines at Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) and the 18 general out-patient clinics of the Hospital Authority. They can also make appointments for vaccination with a private doctor or clinic participating in the programme.

"Now is a key time point. We need all residents to actively participate in the vaccination program. This is vital for shaping our virus-curbing rules going forward," Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan said at a press briefing.

The expansion of the vaccine programme will cover almost 80% of Hong Kong’s population.

Meanwhile, 12 new CVCs administering the Comirnaty vaccine are now in operation, bringing the total number of CVCs to 19 since the vaccination programme launched on 26 February. Eight CVCs administer the Sinovac vaccine.

Around 23,000 people a day are estimated to be vaccinated with the added CVCs.