Hong Kong reaches 80 percent vaccine takeup

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Sunday the vaccination drive had achieved a significant milestone, with more than 80 percent of eligible people in the SAR having received at least one Covid-19 jab.

The percentage translates as around 5.4 million individuals. It excludes children aged between five and 11 who couldn’t get jabbed until recently.

Writing on her social media page, Lam said more than a million people had already received the third shot.

To help the SAR reach a ninety percent vaccination rate as soon as possible, Lam said the government would soon amend regulations to implement a vaccine pass, meaning people who haven’t received at least one vaccine dose will be barred from entering many premises.

She said the authorities will announce the details of the vaccine pass this week, before it’s rolled out on February 24.

Lam called on those who haven’t been jabbed – especially the elderly – to get their shot.