Experts To Discuss Interval For Baby BioNTech Jabs

An expert panel advising the government on Covid-19 vaccines will meet on Thursday afternoon to decide on the appropriate time interval between the BioNTech jabs tailored for babies and young children.

That’s according to Lau Yu-lung, who is also the chair professor of paediatrics at the University of Hong Kong.

He noted that the World Health Organisation has advised people to have a four- to eight-week window between the first and second shots to provide better protection while reducing the likelihood of heart muscle inflammation – a side effect associated with the jab.

“Hong Kong is one of the first places which warned that the heart muscle inflammation [caused by the BioNTech shots] are not so rare, so we are very sensitive about this,” he said.

On Wednesday, Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau approved the emergency use of the infant and children BioNTech formula in Hong Kong, but said there’s no timetable yet on when the vaccines will be shipped to the city.

“Hong Kong’s epidemic situation had been improving, but the number of cases seem to be going up again. So, it’s a dilemma. Perhaps we will advise a certain extent of flexibility after today’s meeting. We’ll see. But Hong Kong always puts safety first,” Lau said.

At present, children aged between six months and three years old can get the Sinovac vaccine. Around 18 percent of the population in this age group has had their first jab, while less than ten percent has received the second shot.

Separately, the Hospital Authority is relaxing visiting restrictions for acute and specialist wards across 38 hospitals from Thursday.

Patients considered to be at lower risk of infection will be given a one-hour visiting slot each day, with a quota of three registered visitors. However, only two guests will be allowed into the ward at the same time.

The authority’s chief nursing officer, Leung Ming, said officials would assess the epidemic situation as well as the response from patients and their relatives before deciding whether to further relax the rules.