The first shipment of about 100,000 doses of the new-generation XBB mRNA vaccine (Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 30mcg/dose) arrived in Hong Kong, the Government announced today.
 
Government staff immediately carried out stringent checking and inspection according to established procedures to ensure that the vaccine complies with the product specifications and that the transportation process followed the relevant cold-chain requirements.
 
The vaccines have been put in validated ultra-low temperature freezers to ensure proper storage as specified by the drug manufacturer.
 
The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging & Zoonotic Diseases under the Centre for Health Protection discussed the use of the new-generation XBB mRNA vaccine in a meeting on October 11 and experts considered that it can provide better protection.
 
In view of the limited local supply, the Government will arrange vaccination for high-risk individuals in batches. People with higher risks, ie residential care home residents and citizens aged 65 or above, will be accorded priority to get the jab first.
 
The details of the vaccination arrangements will be announced early next month.