Govt still pursuing Sinovac vaccines: Sophia Chan

Health Secretary Sophia Chan has said the government hasn’t given up on Covid vaccines from mainland manufacturer Sinovac, even though the product hasn’t been approved for emergency use yet due to insufficient clinical data.

A report released on Tuesday revealed that experts advising the government on its vaccination programme have left Sinovac out of their proposals for how the universal inoculation scheme should be conducted.

The experts concluded that vaccines developed by western firms BioNTech and AstraZeneca that Hong Kong has secured should be given to people in three phases according to need.

The first jabs would be given to residents and staff of care homes for the elderly or disabled, along with other high-risk institutions. The second batch would go to people over 60, healthcare workers, and those deemed to provide essential services, while the chronically ill come third.

Chan told RTHK that the government is waiting for more clinical trial data from Sinovac, but nonetheless will keep pursuing the mainland-made vaccines as a possibility.

The Sinovac jabs were scheduled to be the first to arrive – by the end of January.

The health chief said the BioNTech product should arrive in late February, and the government is trying to see if there’s any room to bring that date forward.

Chan also revealed that Hong Kong is in talks to buy vaccines from a fourth manufacturer, but an agreement hasn’t been reached yet.

She refused to give any more details, citing a non-disclosure agreement, saying only that it’s not mainland manufacturer Sinopharm.

When pressed why Hong Kong will be slower to start its vaccination programme compared to other jurisdictions such as Singapore, Chan cited logistical problems.

“We have to rely on the vaccine manufacturers to let us know when they can deliver the vaccines. In particular, for BioNTech, the logistics are actually very challenging, because of [the requirement for the vaccines to be stored at -70 degrees Celsius,” she said.

The minister also gave assurances that the fourth wave of Covid cases here will ease In due course, describing the recent spike in cases in Yau Ma Tei and Jordan as “hiccups”.

Chan also brushed aside reports that the pro-government camp wants her replaced – after many criticised her handling of the epidemic during a recent Legco meeting.

She said while they have different views, she will keep working hard under the leadership of the Chief Executive in the fight against Covid.

“We’ve always been listening to comments and criticism, from legislators, the general public and also the professional community. But these are not all criticisms, there’s also been encouragements and commendation,” she said.