HK suspends BioNTech jabs on packaging fears

2021-03-24 HKT 10:27″ title=”Concerns over packaging problems have prompted Hong Kong officials to suspend the use of the BioNTech vaccine. Photo: RTHK”>

Concerns over packaging problems have prompted Hong Kong officials to suspend the use of the BioNTech vaccine. Photo: RTHK

The government has announced that it would temporarily stop administering BioNTech coronavirus vaccines due to packaging problems in one of the batches of supplies.

It said in a statement issued Wednesday morning that although the drug maker did not find any safety risks associated with the problems with the caps on the vials, the use of the jabs would be suspended pending investigation.

It said people who have made booking for the jabs from today do not have to go to vaccination centres until further notice.

The announcement comes as the SAR is seeking to step up its inoculation programme.

Earlier, Macau also suspended its BioNTech vaccination programme over packaging concerns.

“Vaccinations with the concerned products must be suspended,” Macau’s government said in a statement.
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Last updated: 2021-03-24 HKT 10:26