The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (JSC) convened a meeting today (April 22), joined by the Chief Executive's expert advisory panel (EAP), to discuss and update recommendations on the use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant and lactating women and the use of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
The JSC-EAP acknowledged there is emerging data on the use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant and lactating women. Given there are no known risks associated with administering mRNA COVID-19 vaccines to lactating women, they are recommended to receive the mRNA vaccines as for the rest of the population. Pregnant women who consider mRNA COVID-19 vaccines should consult their obstetricians on the risks and benefits of vaccination.
During the meeting, the JSC-EAP discussed the use of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Reports of extremely rare adverse events of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) following vaccination with AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was noted. Causal relationship between the vaccine and TTS is possible but still under investigation. Currently, evidence and data on the occurrence of TTS following vaccination of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is still emerging. In view of the local epidemiological situation and the availability of alternative COVID-19 vaccines in Hong Kong, there is no need for the introduction of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Hong Kong.
In addition, Members discussed the possibility of exempting close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases from the existing quarantine measures, if they are fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines. In view of limited data, and concerns about emerging COVID-19 variants, the JSC-EAP considered that the current quarantine practice on close contacts should continue until more supporting evidence becomes available.
Details of the interim recommendation are available at CHP website www.chp.gov.hk/en/static/24008.html.
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