Authorities won't vaccinate all elderly home residents in one go as it wants more time to observe the jabs' side effects, Elderly Commission chairman Lam Ching-choi said.
Experts advising the government on vaccinations will meet tomorrow to discuss approval for BioNTech jabs, as Norway warned the vaccine could be too risky for the very old and terminally ill – 29 people died in the country shortly after receiving the first shot.
Lam, also an Executive Council member, said authorities still maintain the goal of launching vaccinations after Lunar New Year.
He cited expert opinions that elderly residents at care homes are highly vulnerable to the virus and after balancing the risks of infection and side effects after vaccination, it is best to inoculate them with whichever vaccine arrives in town the earliest.
But authorities will send out-reach teams to elderly homes and evacuate each individual’s health condition before administering the jabs, he said, adding inoculation will not be done in one go, so health officers can monitor potential adverse effects.
He said medics will stay at care homes for at least 30 minutes after administering shots.
Lam, also an Executive Council member, said authorities still maintain the goal of launching vaccinations after Lunar New Year.
He cited expert opinions that elderly residents at care homes are highly vulnerable to the virus and after balancing the risks of infection and side effects after vaccination, it is best to inoculate them with whichever vaccine arrives in town the earliest.
But authorities will send out-reach teams to elderly homes and evacuate each individual’s health condition before administering the jabs, he said, adding inoculation will not be done in one go, so health officers can monitor potential adverse effects.
He said medics will stay at care homes for at least 30 minutes after administering shots.