Hong Kong residents rush to get vaccinated ahead of China border reopening

Hong Kong residents have swamped clinics to get vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 ahead of the anticipated reopening of town’s border with mainland China, which some individuals concern will convey a surge of infections to the monetary hub.

Metropolis authorities centres offering photographs produced by BioNTech have in current days been principally booked strong, some till February, in distinction with just a few weeks in the past when anybody looking for a vaccine may stroll into an almost empty facility.

“After the opening of the border, I expect there will be more infected people on the streets, I want to reduce my chance of getting infected,” stated a Hong Kong resident surnamed Wan, 33, who bought his fourth shot this week.

Hong Kong’s authorities introduced plans to reopen its border and resume restriction-free journey for the primary time in additional than three years after Beijing deserted its strict “zero-COVID” coverage and introduced it was easing its journey restrictions from Jan. 8.

Hong Kong noticed a sluggish vaccine uptake when the photographs first turned obtainable in 2001, significantly among the many aged, however charges picked up over the previous yr and greater than 83% of Hong Kong residents have obtained three doses of both the BioNTech shot or China‘s Sinovac vaccine, in accordance to authorities information.

The quantity of individuals getting a fourth shot jumped greater than 100% this week from per week earlier.

It’s not only a concern of new infections after the border reopens however fear that mainland guests will snap up mRNA vaccines, which can provide higher safety in opposition to COVID however usually are not obtainable for Chinese language residents within the mainland.

Many mainlanders have been asking on social media about how to get an mRNA vaccine in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong‘s authorities has stated non-residents may have to pay for vaccines at personal clinics.

“I’m afraid it might be harder to get vaccinated once mainlanders start coming,” stated Kevin Lam, 29, queuing up together with dozens of different individuals for his fourth vaccine at a clinic within the metropolis’s Quarry Bay district.

A Hong Kong resident surnamed Tsoi stated she was relieved to have made a reserving for BioNTech’s second-generation booster.

“I’m a bit worried that vaccinations will run out,” the 35-year-old stated. – Reuters

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