Vaccination Hits Record Level On Saturday

A record 54,000 people received Covid-19 vaccinations on Saturday, with the reduction of the minimum age for the jab expected to add further impetus to the SAR's slow inoculation drive.

Officials statistics showed that some 36,000 people received their first dose while 16,000 took a second dose of the BioNTech or Sinovac jabs.

The minister in charge of the vaccination drive, Secretary for the Civil Servce Patrick Nip, hailed the progress in a post on his Facebook page.

"The faster the community protection barriers are set up, the sooner life will return to normal, the more they can travel, do business, visit family, resume classes and play," he wrote.

"If you haven't yet been vaccinated, act now. Get yourself vaccinated as soon as possible. Protect yourself!"

Almost 25,000 people booked a vaccination on Saturday. Since Friday, the minimum age to book a vaccination has been 12 rather than 16, with the first people aged under 16 expected to get a vaccine on Monday.

Take-up of vaccination had been relatively sluggish, but has picked up as some private companies offered prize draws with rewards including a flat and an electric car, as well as cash, shopping vouchers and holidays.

Some employers have also encourage staff to get the job, offering cash bonuses or paid time off. Others have warned of cutbacks or threatened to deny unvaccinated staff bonuses or promotions.