SCS: No time to lose in receiving COVID-19 vaccination (with photos)

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, said that the current epidemic situation is of grave concern. The most pressing matter of the moment is to receive COVID-19 vaccination, and the first, second and third dose are equally important. The Civil Service Bureau is sparing no effort in boosting the vaccination rate by increasing the venues for COVID-19 vaccination and mobilising private medical healthcare personnel to participate in administering the vaccine, thereby facilitating members of the public to quickly make use of numerous and different forms of vaccination venues to obtain protection from the vaccine, so as to protect themselves and the healthcare system as well.
      
     Mr Nip visited Tai Yuen Estate in Tai Po today (March 4) to view the first day operation of the Mobile Vaccination Station (MVS) (Station No. 4). He also visited the Children Community Vaccination Centre (CCVC) at Tsuen Wan Sports Centre providing the BioNTech vaccine to children aged 5 to 11 starting from today.
      
     "The vaccination rate of Hong Kong's population aged 12 or above will reach 90 per cent very soon. However, the vaccination rate of the elderly and children remains very much the focus of our concern. Therefore, we are focusing on providing convenience to children and the elderly in receiving vaccination and setting up the vaccination centres dedicated to them. I appeal to parents to arrange for their children to receive vaccination as soon as possible. I also appeal for care to be taken of whether family members and elderly persons are getting all three doses on time," he said.
      
     Meanwhile, the MVS (Station No. 3) set up by the Government also commenced operation today and provided service to residents at Tai Hing Estate in Tuen Mun. In addition to serving at various public housing estates, the MVSs will also visit schools to expedite the provision of COVID-19 vaccination to eligible students.
      
     Members of the public can refer to the designated website for the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme for the service schedule of the four MVSs (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/pdf/List_Mobile_Vaccination_Station_ENG.pdf), which will be updated from time to time.
      
     Only one type of vaccine is provided at the MVSs each time, i.e. the Fosun/BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine or the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine. Members of the public can receive their first, second or third dose of vaccination at the mobile stations.
      
     The MVSs operate from 10am to 5pm. The last on-site registration time is 4.30pm.
      
     Walk-in services for eligible persons are available. To reduce waiting time, prior booking through a hotline is welcome. The hotline for enquiries and bookings is 5193 0375 (from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays).
      
     Persons receiving the vaccination have to bring along original identity documents. If the identity documents do not bear the child's photo such as the birth certificate, then school documents (such as school handbooks) bearing a photo of the student must be presented at the time of vaccination.
      
     For children and teenagers aged 3 to 17 receiving the Sinovac vaccine, they must bring along a consent form signed by their parents on the date of vaccination. Please use the following version of the consent form (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/pdf/Consent_Form_for_COVID19_Vaccination_ENG.pdf). In addition, children aged 3 to 11 receiving the Sinovac vaccine must be accompanied by their parents/guardians in person when receiving vaccination.
      
     As the BioNTech vaccine for children requires a special dilution procedure, children aged 5 to 11 must receive the BioNTech vaccine at the four CCVCs and must be accompanied by their parents/guardians in person when receiving vaccination. They must bring along a consent form of the following version signed by their parents on the date of vaccination (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/pdf/Consent_Form_for_Fractional_BioNTech_Vaccination_ENG.pdf).
               
     The designated website for the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/en/programme) provides the latest information including vaccination venues, reservation and enquiry hotlines.