Stop Trying To 'smear' Sinovac Jabs, Govt Says

The government has hit out at organisations using medical professionals to undermine public confidence in the Sinovac vaccine.

In a statement issued early on Thursday, a government spokesman said all Covid-19 vaccines used in Hong Kong were authorised for emergency use in accordance with the regulations.

The spokesman said medical professionals should explain to the public the benefits and risks of getting vaccinated.

"No political considerations should be involved," the spokesman said.

The spokesman criticised "individual organisations which used the name of medical professionals to, based on political stance, spread rumours to the public regarding vaccination and target individual vaccines attempting to smear the vaccination programme and mislead citizens to resist getting vaccinated".

"Such behaviour should be condemned," the spokesman said.

The statement said that more than 40 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine had been administered around the world, and statistics derived from the vaccine's clinical trial showed no evidence indicating a direct link between the vaccine and severe reactions, including deaths.

"Put in simple terms, from the medical professional and science perspectives, so far there is no evidence pointing to the need for us to cast doubt on the safety of the two Covid-19 vaccines now made available to citizens," the spokesman said.

"The relevant vaccines are effective and of good quality."

The government has expressed concern recently over the reluctance in some quarters to get vaccinated.

On Wednesday, the Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, complained that the public are not working with her administration in tackling the pandemic, and suggested that getting a Covid vaccine, or a higher take-up rate in society, could become a prerequisite for the relaxation of social distancing measures.

The CE also said the government was considering offering "incentives" to people to sign up for Covid jabs, with looser pandemic rules and a resumption of cross-border travel possible for those who are inoculated.