HONG KONG – Experts who advise the Hong Kong government on COVID-19 vaccination have recommended extending the interval between the first and the second doses of the BioNTech vaccine to eight weeks to lower the risk of myocarditis.
The recommendations came after experts from the joint-scientific committees under the Centre for Health Protection and the chief executive's expert advisory panel discussed the matter on Thursday.
The experts reviewed the situation of myocarditis, or heart inflammation, following the use of the BioNTech vaccine and noted more evidence suggesting a longer dosing would result in better immune response and lower risk of myocarditis, the government said in a release issued on Friday.
The experts reviewed the situation of myocarditis, or heart inflammation, following the use of the BioNTech vaccine and noted more evidence suggesting a longer dosing would result in better immune response and lower risk of myocarditis
The experts therefore recommended the dosing interval be increased from three to eight weeks for people aged between 18 and 59.
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Starting from 9 am 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, the government said.
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.
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, according to the government.
Meanwhile, the experts are not recommending mass vaccination against monkeypox in Hong Kong. However, those who have been exposed to infected people, as well as high-risk groups such as medical workers caring for monkeypox patients, are advised to get jabs if they are available.
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Two types of vaccines – the second-generation smallpox vaccine and the third-generation vaccine – are currently available overseas for use to prevent monkeypox.
More than 30 countries where monkeypox is not endemic have reported outbreaks of the viral disease. Hong Kong has not reported any case so far.