The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced that a tender of 10-year Government Bonds through the re-opening of existing 15-year Government Bond issue 15GB3203 under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme was held today (January 12). 
      
     A total of HK$1.5 billion 10-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of HK$7.825 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 5.22. The average price accepted is 99.84, implying an annualised yield of 1.916 per cent. 

HKSAR Government Institutional Bond Issuance Programme Government Bond tender results
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     Tender results of the re-opening of 15-year Government Bonds under the Institutional Bond Issuance Programme:
 

 
*Calculated as the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued.

     The Department of Health (DH) today (January 12) said that it is investigating and following up on 36 members of the public being administered with Comirnaty vaccines after the suggested use-by date by New Town Integrated Medical Centre (Tin Shui Wai) located at Shop G3, G/F, Kingswood Richly Plaza, Tin Shui Wai.

     The DH has in place a regular stock monitoring mechanism for the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, under which the DH obtains regular information on the usage of vaccines by the medical service providers under the programme. 

     DH received notification on January 6 from the above medical centre that on January 2 and January 4, Comirnaty vaccines which had been kept 31 days and 33 days after thawing (i.e. a few hours and two days after the suggested use-by date) were administered on 12 and 24 members of the public respectively. As suggested by the vaccine manufacturer, Comirnaty vaccine should be kept at 2 to 8 degree Celsius and be used within 31 days after thawing. Upon receiving the report, the DH has conducted an inspection to the medical centre and found that vaccines are stored in an appropriate environment and temperature according to guidelines. 

     The DH has also immediately made inquiries to Fosun Pharma on the safety, efficacy and quality of the vaccine. According to the reply by Fosun Pharma, there is no information which shows adverse reaction as a result of using vaccine over the thawing period. Also, the DH noticed data on stability of vaccine two months after thawing and is awaiting further confirmation by the manufacturer.

     The DH has requested the medical centre to follow-up on the condition of the 36 affected persons. Two of them have reported gastrointestinal discomfort, with one recovering after attending the Accident and Emergency Department while the other under observation at a hospital in a stable condition. The others have not indicated any discomfort.    

     In addition, the DH has consulted local expert and the initial assessment is that the relevant vaccination is considered effective. However, for prudence's sake, affected persons are advised to conduct tests for antibody level after completion of the vaccine regimen to ensure its effectiveness. The DH will refer affected persons for follow-up by the expert. 
 
     The DH has reminded again all medical centres to regularly check the storing condition of vaccines after thawing and handle vaccines properly. The DH has issued a warning to the medical centre concerned and urged them to avoid recurrence of similar incidents. 

     Correctional officers stopped a male person in custody from attempting suicide by hanging in Sha Tsui Correctional Institution today (January 12).

     At 2.36am today, a correctional officer found the 16-year-old person in custody attempting suicide by hanging with his upper garment tied to the grille bar of his cell. The officer at the scene immediately called for reinforcement and stopped the act. The person in custody was found conscious. After receiving an examination and treatment, he was sent to a public hospital for further treatment. A clinical psychologist of the department will follow up on the case.

     â€‹A spokesman for the Correctional Services Department said, "The department uses all possible measures to prevent persons in custody from attempting suicide or self-harm. These measures include administrative arrangements, improvement of institution facilities, staff training and first aid services."

     The person was recalled for breaching a supervision order in December 2021.

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 11) conducted a special operation to combat the sale of counterfeit goods and seized about 1 900 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $780,000.

     Customs earlier conducted patrols and discovered some retail shops selling suspected counterfeit goods. After an in-depth investigation and with the assistance of trademark owners, Customs officers took enforcement action yesterday and raided two retail shops in Fanling and Kwai Chung as well as a storage centre of suspected counterfeit goods in Fanling. A batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including clothing, bags and sports footwear, was seized.

     During the operation, two women aged 50 and 62 were arrested.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     With the Lunar New Year around the corner, Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat different kinds of counterfeit goods activities before and during the holiday.

     Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Also, traders should be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     Starting from this Friday (January 14), members of the public can make reservations to receive free BioNTech vaccination at the Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) located at the Education Bureau Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre and Kowloon Bay Sports Centre.
 
     The two CVCs will provide vaccination services from January 21.
 
     "To enable members of the public to receive vaccination, we have decided to advance the date for reservation which was announced earlier for the two CVCs, so that the public can make early arrangements to make vaccination reservations," a government spokesman said today (January 12).
 
     "We appeal to the public to seize the opportunity to get vaccinated as early as possible. Persons who are yet to receive vaccination should get vaccinated as soon as possible. For persons who have taken their first and second doses, they should receive the third dose on time to protect themselves."  
 
     Eligible persons aged 60 or above can go to CVCs (except the CVCs located at private hospitals) to get same-day tickets. They can present their Hong Kong identity card (HKID) to get a same-day ticket or they can also authorise their family members to get a ticket on their behalf, provided that the authorised person can present a copy of the authoriser's HKID card.

     The same-day tickets are distributed daily from 7.45am on a first-come, first-served basis. Accompanying persons will not be allowed to receive vaccination together and separate vaccination appointments are required.
 
CVCs providing the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine
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Java Road Sports Centre in North Point
Kwun Chung Sports Centre in Jordan
Yuen Wo Road Sports Centre in Sha Tin
 
CVCs providing the Fosun/BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine
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Education Bureau Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre (starting from January 21)
Kowloon Bay Sports Centre (starting from January 21)
Sai Wan Ho Sports Centre
Hiu Kwong Street Sports Centre in Kwun Tong
Lai Chi Kok Park Sports Centre
Yuen Long Sports Centre
HKU CVC at Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong in Wong Chuk Hang (No same-day tickets)
CUHK Medical Centre in Sha Tin (No same-day tickets)
Osman Ramju Sadick Memorial Sports Centre in Kwai Chung
 
     The HKU CVC at Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong operates from 10am to 6pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and from 8am to 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and is closed on Wednesdays. The other CVCs operate daily from 8am to 8pm. All CVCs close between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on working days for cleaning.
 
     Apart from CVCs, eligible persons can also receive free COVID-19 vaccination through the following channels:

•    24 general out-patient clinics under the Hospital Authority
•    13 Hospital COVID-19 Vaccination Stations
•    Elderly Health Centres under the Department of Health
•    Over 1 000 private doctors or clinics which provide Sinovac vaccination service
•    Venues operated by private healthcare institutions enrolled in the BioNTech Vaccination Pilot Scheme which provide BioNTech vaccination service
•    Two Mobile Vaccination Stations
 
     The designated website for the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/en/programme) provides the latest information including details on vaccination venues, reservation and enquiry hotlines.
 
     Before making an appointment, members of the public should take note of a minimum interval of 14 days between COVID-19 vaccination and any other vaccination (including seasonal influenza vaccination).