HONG KONG (AP) – Hong Kong’s sudden suspension of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech is once again for a vaccination program that is already battling a wall of public distrust.
Hong Kong on Wednesday suspended the use of the Pfizer vaccine, distributed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Fosun Pharma, after defective packaging, such as loose vial caps and cracks in bottles, were found in one of the two batches of the vaccine.
At the moment, Hong Kong residents can only get the Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine, which is said to have an effectiveness rate of 62%, compared to Pfizer’s 97%. Prudence over Sinovac’s shooting has grown after the deaths of seven people who were vaccinated with it, although authorities say the deaths were unrelated to the vaccine.
When the government launched the vaccination campaign in February, Chan Yuet Lin, 66, was eager to be inoculated. A mainland Chinese immigrant to the semi-autonomous city, he hoped the vaccination would help him visit his family on the Chinese mainland, whom he had not seen since the pandemic began, without enduring onerous quarantines.
But after seeing on television reports that several people with chronic illnesses had died days after having the Sinovac vaccine, Chan decided not to inoculate himself.
“I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and blood sugar. Right now, with my state of health, I don’t think I can get the vaccine, I’ll wait to see, ”he said, adding that he planned to seek advice from his doctor at his next appointment.
Since vaccinations began on February 26, about 5.7% of Hong Kong’s 7.2 million residents have been inoculated, far from the goal of vaccinating 70%. Slow absorption tracks that of Singapore. It started firing COVID-19 a few days before Hong Kong and has administered vaccines to more than 13% of its population, 5.7 million.
The government has expanded the range of people who can get the shots, allowing those 30 or older after initially prioritizing those 60 and older, and employees in essential industries. It is proposed to give the photos to anyone over 16 years of age.
Slow progress in vaccinations could slow the city’s economic recovery. Hong Kong still faces coronavirus outbreaks and strict measures of social distancing, especially difficult for bars, restaurants and the tourism industry. The unemployment rate rose to 7.2% in February, the highest level since 2004.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam and health officials are urging people to get vaccinated. They insist the shots, including the Sinovac vaccine, are safe. Hong Kong, a former British colony, is heavily dependent on tourism, but has been closed to foreign visitors since March 2020, and Lam said social distancing precautions and border controls can only be relaxed after most people have been shot.
“If we can’t control the epidemic, we can’t do anything with the economy,” he told lawmakers last week.
The hesitation toward vaccines partly reflects growing distrust of the government, as Beijing has claimed growing influence after months of anti-government protests in 2019. Authorities have arrested and jailed dozens of pro-democracy activists under a crackdown. new tough national security law.
Some residents are concerned about the seven deaths that occurred after the Sinovac shootings.
“According to the government, none of the deaths are related to the vaccine. Most patients had cardiovascular conditions, so there must be some association, but it looks like the government is trying to dissociate it,” said Belinda Lin. a Hong Kong resident who was about 30 years old.
“It’s a matter of responsibility, the willingness to take responsibility, I haven’t seen it yet,” said Lin, who has no plans to take the vaccine as he says there is a lack of studies showing long-term effects. time limit.
“From what we’ve seen in the news so far, it seems like people have fewer vaccine side effects (Sinovac) which is less effective,” said Agnes Wong, a sales executive in Hong Kong who also had no immediate plans to vaccinate. se.
Dissatisfaction with vaccines, which developed in less than a year with different levels of clinical trials, is not limited to Hong Kong.
In Europe, reports of problems with blood clotting after the shooting of AstraZeneca raised concerns. Therefore, you have questions about some of the clinical data of AstraZeneca.
Currently, the number of people who have booked but have not been able to attend Sinovac vaccine appointments is around 20%, compared to the program’s 11% weekly. This compares to a 5% non-filing rate for the Pfizer shot before they stopped.
Martin Wong, a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, co-authored a survey published in January that showed that only 37% of Hong Kong residents were willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. He says the technology used, the manufacturer’s history and side effects reports can affect the willingness to get the photos.
The government has advised people with chronic illnesses to ask their doctors before receiving COVID-19 vaccines. This can be difficult for many disadvantaged Hong Kong seniors, said Ivan Lin, of the Society for Community Organization’s advocacy group.
“The public health system should be more proactive in counseling,” Lin said. “For many of these elderly people, their long-term illnesses are treated by public hospitals where appointments are made every three months, so they are unable to get (timely) medical advice.”
Policies that would reward people for getting vaccinated are essential, Wong says.
“New incentives may be required, such as exemptions from certain travel bans or the issuance of a vaccination certificate that can be used for different purposes,” he said.
Lam, the city’s leader, said the government could consider such measures, such as relaxing certain restrictions on social distancing. Hong Kong is also discussing with Chinese authorities the reduction of restrictions for vaccinated travelers.
This might work for some.
Bilal Hussain, a doctoral student at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, signed up to receive his first shot of the Sinovac vaccine after learning that China facilitated its policy to allow foreign workers and their families apply for visas in the country.
Hussain’s wife and 5-year-old son are in China. He has not seen them since January 2020.
“I hope that maybe in the near future, China will open its borders to vaccinated students,” he said.