DH’s COVID-19 vaccination services for pregnant women and elderly updated

     The Department of Health (DH) announced today (February 27) that CoronaVac vaccination service will be provided to pregnant women receiving antenatal services at its 19 Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) starting March 1 while 11 Elderly Health Centres (EHCs) will continue to provide walk-in CoronaVac vaccination service to elderly people aged 65 or above in March.

     Data indicated that, compared with those not pregnant, pregnant women have a higher chance of developing serious complications after contracting COVID-19. The risk of preterm birth is doubled, and the mortality rate during perinatal period also increased by about 50 per cent. Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines can reduce the risk of hospitalisation and deaths in pregnant women. Some studies have shown that antibodies generated after vaccination in pregnant women can be passed to the foetus through the umbilical cord, and women can also provide protection to the babies during breastfeeding.

     The World Health Organization has endorsed the use of the two vaccines available in Hong Kong, i.e. CoronaVac and Comirnaty, in pregnant and lactating women. Local experts have repeatedly urged pregnant and lactating women to get vaccinated.

     Health advice on COVID-19 vaccines will be offered when expectant mothers visit the MCHCs for their routine antenatal checks and arrangements will be made upon their decision. If a pregnant woman chooses CoronaVac, MCHC staff will provide the vaccination on the spot.

     Meanwhile, 11 EHCs will continue to provide walk-in CoronaVac vaccination service to elderly people aged 65 or above from Monday to Friday, from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm, and on Saturday from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm (except public holidays) on a first-come, first-served basis until the daily quota is full. If the daily quota is full, staff will arrange an appointment for the elderly people. Hong Kong identity cards should be presented for registration. The 11 EHCs offering the walk-in vaccination service and their addresses are listed in the Annex.

     Those who have made vaccination appointments at Shau Kei Wan EHC, Wan Chai EHC, and Kwai Shing EHC can continue to receive their vaccination according to schedule at these centres. For those who have made appointments at San Po Kong EHC, they should attend the Kowloon City Lions Clubs Student Health Service Centre instead on the scheduled date for vaccination service.

     For more information, please visit the website of Family Health Service (www.fhs.gov.hk) and Elderly Health Serivce (www.elderly.gov.hk/eindex.html).

     Information on COVID-19 Vaccination is available at the dedicated website: www.covidvaccine.gov.hk.