Starting from July 29, same-day tickets will be distributed at 24 Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) (except those run by private hospitals) under the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme to persons aged 70 or above who have not made any prior booking so that they can receive COVID-19 vaccination in a CVC at a designated timeslot on the day of distribution.

Depending on the response of the elderly to the same-day ticket arrangements and the actual situation, the Government will consider expanding the measure to cover persons aged 60 or above.

For details, refer to: www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202107/27/P2021072700240.htm

2. Consensus interim recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination

The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (JSC) convened a meeting on July 22, joined by the Chief Executive's expert advisory panel (EAP), to discuss the recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination.

The JSC-EAP considers that both Comirnaty and CoronaVac (Sinovac) COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in protecting against severe diseases and death from COVID-19 infection, which is generally related to T-cell response. 

It is suggested to have a minimal interval of at least 14 days between the administration of COVID-19 vaccine and any other vaccines. Elderly should receive COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible, well before the arrival of the winter influenza season.