More schools back jab programme
Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip (front row, right) chats to a secondary school student who has completed her vaccination at the community vaccination centre at Queen Elizabeth Stadium.
Mr Nip (back row, left) views the administration of a COVID-19 vaccine to a university student as arranged by the Government’s outreach vaccination service.
Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip viewed the administration of COVID-19 vaccines to students and staff from three schools and the Chinese University today.
About 180 students and staff members of Po Kok Primary School, Buddhist Wong Fung Ling College and Christian Nationals' Evangelism Commission Lau Wing Sang Secondary School received the BioNTech vaccine at the community vaccination centre (CVC) at Queen Elizabeth Stadium through group bookings.
Mr Nip said more than 350 primary and secondary schools have expressed an interest in arranging for their staff and students to get vaccinated since the launch of two measures - the school outreach vaccination service and the reservation of time slots for vaccination at CVCs through group booking.
More schools opted to use the group booking service and so far 142 schools have arranged for their students to receive vaccination at CVCs through this service.
Separately, more than 400 Chinese University students and staff participated in the Government's outreach vaccination service to receive the BioNTech or Sinovac vaccine. Mr Nip visited the campus to observe the vaccine administration.
He said: “I notice that the university already has plans to resume face-to-face classes and activities on campus in the new academic year.
“The risk of the virus spreading will increase in areas with higher people flows. As such, students and staff members should get vaccinated for the sake of their health.”
The Government further extended the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme last week to cover all eligible visitors holding valid travel documents who are allowed to stay in Hong Kong as permitted by the law, and can complete two doses of vaccination within their limit of stay without extension.
Overseas and exchange students studying in local universities can also benefit from this arrangement and get vaccinated for free.
Mr Nip noted that vaccination can protect against the virus and will help resume a more normal school life, adding that more support from young people is needed to help build an immune barrier in Hong Kong as soon as possible.