The Hong Kong Doctors Union has warned that the progress of the city's COVID-19 booster campaign is slowing down, with low vaccination rates among older adults and high-risk groups, and restricted access to community vaccines. According to the Centre for Health Protection, only 717 booster doses were administered in the previous month, and over the past year, just 47,828 vaccines were distributed, of which 46,119 went to individuals aged 50 and above. This represents only about 1.27 percent of the 3.62 million people in this age range, indicating a low vaccination rate among this demographic.
The union's survey of 300 doctors revealed that 79 percent considered vaccination among older adults unsatisfactory, with nearly 40 percent not proactively reminding patients about the need for jabs and almost 60 percent citing a lack of available vaccines. Dr. Ivan Hung, chair of infectious diseases and vaccinology at the University of Hong Kong, cautioned that a new surge in cases is expected within a year, and noted that there have been over 170 severe cases or deaths in recent months for high-risk individuals—a figure Hung deemed large. Access issues remain a key challenge, with only 58 public vaccination points and 18 designated private clinics for COVID-19 shots available compared to over 1,000 private clinics offering flu shots.
Medical authorities have called for routine vaccine supplies under the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme, one-stop flu and COVID-19 shots at family doctor clinics, and enhanced public education. Dr. Hung emphasized the need for a simpler process, suggesting that the vaccination program be similar to the flu vaccination program, where one simply walks into a general practice to get vaccinated without the need for online registration. Healthcare professionals urge priority groups, including the elderly, those with chronic diseases, pregnant women, and healthcare workers, to receive updated vaccines promptly to maintain their immune protection.