In response to the latest advice from experts, the Government called on people aged 18 to 59 to pay attention to the extension of the interval between the first and the second doses of the BioNTech vaccine from three weeks to eight weeks.

Starting from 9am on June 22, people aged 18 to 59 can select an appointment time slot which is eight weeks after they have received their first dose of the BioNTech vaccine at the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme's booking system.

People who have made an appointment for receiving their second dose of the BioNTech vaccine can cancel their booking first or change the reserved time slot via the designated website later.

The arrangement is only applicable to people aged 18 to 59 who will receive their second dose of the BioNTech vaccine. The recommendations on the time for receiving vaccination for those from other age groups and recovered people remain unchanged.

The recommendation of extending the interval between the first and second doses of the BioNTech vaccine for people aged 18 to 59 years was given today by the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging & Zoonotic Diseases, joined by the Chief Executive’s expert advisory panel after a meeting yesterday.

The experts reviewed the situation of myocarditis following the use of the BioNTech vaccine and noted more evidence suggesting a longer dosing interval between the first and second doses would result in better immune response and lower risk of myocarditis and/or pericarditis, the Government explained.

Separately, the experts noted that human cases of monkeypox have been reported in some endemic and non-endemic countries, and a further spread is possible.

At the moment, two types of vaccines are available overseas for use to prevent monkeypox, ie the second-generation smallpox vaccine and the third-generation vaccine. Having reviewed the latest scientific evidence and the World Health Organization’s recommendations as well as overseas health authorities, and taking the local context into account, the committees considered that mass vaccination in Hong Kong is not recommended for monkeypox. Moreover, first- or second-generation smallpox vaccines are not recommended for use in the context of monkeypox.

Subject to the availability of a monkeypox vaccine, post-exposure prophylaxis for contacts of cases is advised to prevent the onset of the disease.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis for certain high-risk groups, such as healthcare workers taking care of monkeypox patients and laboratory personnel working with zoonotic pox viruses, could be considered when a monkeypox vaccine is available.