Director of Health receives vaccination at Community Vaccination Centre at Hong Kong Central Library (with photos)
The Director of Health, Dr Constance Chan, and a number of service heads of the Department of Health (DH), today (February 26) received COVID-19 vaccinations at the Community Vaccination Centre (CVC) operated by the DH at the Exhibition Gallery of the Hong Kong Central Library in Causeway Bay. Dr Chan appealed to members of priority groups to be vaccinated early to protect themselves and others.
Dr Chan, together with the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), Dr Ronald Lam; the Controller of Regulatory Affairs, Dr Amy Chiu; the Consultant in-charge, Dental Services, Dr Wiley Lam; the Acting Deputy Director of Health, Dr Teresa Li; Assistant Director (Drug), Mr Frank Chan; the Head of Public Health Services Branch, Dr Ho King-man; the Head of Health Informatics and Technology Office, Dr Liza To; and the Principal Nursing Officer, Dr Mary Foong, received vaccinations by DH colleagues on-site.
Dr Chan said, "Healthcare workers are among members of priority groups. Being the major department in fighting against the epidemic, we appeal through our actions today to fellow DH colleagues and other healthcare workers in the public and private sectors to receive a vaccination early."
Vaccinations are free of charge. Priority vaccinations are arranged for five groups of people, namely personnel in healthcare settings and those participating in anti-epidemic related work; persons aged 60 years or above (a maximum of two carers accompanying elderly people aged 70 or above can also receive a vaccination); residents and staff of residential care homes for the elderly/persons with disabilities; personnel maintaining critical public services, and personnel performing cross-boundary related work.
Dr Chan said, "Receiving a vaccination early can protect oneself, and especially can greatly reduce the occurrence of severe complications and the risk of fatality. I appeal to members of the public to seize the opportunity to participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, with a view to safeguarding public health in the community."
Dr Chan also took the opportunity to chat with colleagues on duty at the centre to know more about their work. She expressed support and gratitude to colleagues for their professionalism and participation, which has enabled the programme's smooth operation and contributed to the prevention and control of COVID-19.
The Government will set up 29 CVCs in Hong Kong to provide COVID-19 vaccination services for members of the public who have made bookings through the Government online booking system. The first five CVCs have commenced operations today, together with the 18 general out-patient clinics of the Hospital Authority, to provide vaccines for those in the priority groups. Private doctors participating in the vaccination programme will also administer the vaccine for priority groups in early March.
Members of the public can visit the thematic website, www.covidvaccine.gov.hk, to make reservations for vaccinations and to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines.
