BioNTech Vaccine Scheme Halted

At around 10am people could not get BioNTech vaccines

 

The vaccination drive in Hong Kong received a setback this morning when there was news that frontline workers had reported 57 instances of packaging issues with the BioNTech vaccine, ranging from cracks in containers, leakage due to overpressure from vials, to loose caps and stains or marks on the outside of bottles.

Chan said Fosun Pharma needs to investigate

Some 150,000 doses of batch 210102 were administered up till Wednesday, while another batch 210104 have not been opened yet. And it was actually the Macanese government that halted the use of the same batch one and a half hours before the Hong Kong authorities followed suit.

As a result the government has abruptly halted the use of the BioNTech vaccine until an investigation is completed. So people who arrived at the makeshift clinics this morning were told their jabs were cancelled without a clear reason and given a pack of masks as compensation. Many were very disappointed, having waited up till now to get the jab, while others were angry.

One complained that even though seven people died after taking the Sinovac vaccine, the vaccination scheme was not halted, whereas the government to stop administering doses of BioNTech because of packaging issues.

It will make those skeptical even more so, wondering if this is an effort to push more people into taking the Sinovac jab instead.

There were over 50 cases of defective packaging

Nevertheless, many were upset they could not get their jabs today, whereas those who already had their first shot from this batch wondered if the jab they got was less effective, and would they have to retake their first dose.

So far officials say the batch in question did not pose any health risks. 

"Fosun Pharma [the agent distributing BioNTech in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau] has told us that they have no reason to believe the doses now pose safety risks. But they found some packaging defects, so they need to investigate," explained Dr Sophia Chan Siu-chee, Secretary for Food and Health.

After an emergency meeting with Fosun, Director of Health Dr Constance Chan Hon-yee said the vials with packaging defects were disposed of and not administered to the public.

Fosun and BioNTech have been asked to investigate the matter, but no deadline has been set, which means the vaccination program using BioNTech is suspended for now.

Constance Chan says defective vials not used

The vaccination scare had an immediate effect on the stock market, with the Hang Seng Index closing 2.03 percent lower or 579 points to 27,918.

My colleague was supposed to get the jab this evening and was very upset not to be able to get her shot -- despite her fear of needles.

She is so anxious to get vaccinated as soon as possible so that she can travel again.

It's a disappointing setback, but for those unsure about how the government is promoting the vaccination scheme, this is yet another argument for them not to get the jab -- yet. Which means we could possibly wait more than 300 days to get herd immunity in Hong Kong...