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world news Diabierna 26 Maart 2021

Hong Kong vaccination drive struggles to gain public trust

(AP) — Hong Kong's sudden sus-
pension of a COVID-19 vaccine
developed by Pfizer and BioN-
Tech is another blow to a vaccina-
tion program already struggling
against a wall of public distrust.

Hong Kong on Wednesday suspend-
ed use of the Pfizer vaccine, distrib-
uted by Chinese pharmaceutical firm
Fosun Pharma, after defective pack-
aging such as loose vial lids and cracks
on bottles were found in one of two
batches of the vaccine.

For now, Hong Kong residents can
only get the Chinese-made Sinovac
vaccine, which is reported to have an
efficacy rate of 62%, compared with
Pfizer's 97%. Wariness toward the
Sinovac shot has grown after seven
people who were vaccinated with
it died, though authorities say the
deaths were not linked to the vaccine.

When the government launched
the vaccination drive in February,
66-year-old Chan Yuet Lin was ea-
ger to get inoculated. A mainland
Chinese immigrant in the semi-au-
tonomous city, she hoped vaccina-
tion would help her eventually visit highest level since 2004. long-term effects. nity Organization.
her family in the Chinese mainland,
whom she had not seen since the Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam and “From what we’ve seen in the news “The public health system should be
pandemic began, without enduring health officials are urging people to so far it seems like people have more more proactive in providing advice,”
onerous quarantines. get vaccinated. They insist the shots, side effects from the (Sinovac) vac- said Lin. “For many of these elderly,
including the Sinovac vaccine, are cine that’s less effective,” said Ag- their long-term illnesses are taken
But after seeing reports on televi- safe. Hong Kong, a former British nes Wong, a sales executive in Hong care of by public hospitals where ap-
sion that several people with chronic colony, relies heavily on tourism but Kong who also had no immediate pointments take place every three
illnesses had died days after having has been closed to foreign visitors plans to get vaccinated. months, so they are not able to get
the Sinovac vaccine, Chan decided since March 2020 and Lam has said (timely) medical advice.”
against getting inoculated. social distancing precautions and bor- Unease over the vaccines, which
der controls can only be relaxed after were developed in under a year using Policies that would reward people for
“I have high blood pressure, high most people have gotten the shots. varying levels of clinical trials, are not getting vaccinated are essential, says
cholesterol and high blood sugar. confined to Hong Kong. Wong.
Right now with my health condition “If we can’t control the epidemic,
I don’t think I can get the shot, I will there’s nothing we can do about the In Europe, reports of problems with “New incentives may be required
wait and see,” she said, adding that economy,” she told lawmakers last blood clotting following the Astra- such as exemptions from certain trav-
she planned to seek her doctor’s ad- week. Zeneca shot raised concerns. So have el bans or issuance of a certificate of
vice at her next appointment. questions over some of AstraZeneca’s vaccination that can be used for dif-
Hesitancy toward the vaccines part- clinical data. ferent purposes,” he said.
Since vaccinations began on Feb. 26, ly reflects growing mistrust of the The number of people who have
about 5.7% of Hong Kong’s 7.2 mil- government, as Beijing has asserted booked but failed to show up for Lam, the city's leader, has said the
lion residents have gotten inoculated growing influence following months their Sinovac vaccine appointments government might considering such
— a far cry from a goal of vaccinat- of anti-government protests in 2019. currently stands at around 20%, up measures, such as relaxing certain
ing 70%. The slow uptake trails Sin- Authorities have arrested and jailed from about 11% a week into the pro- social distancing restrictions. Hong
gapore's. It started giving COVID-19 dozens of pro-democracy activists gram. That compares with a 5% no- Kong is also discussing with Chinese
shots just days before Hong Kong under a tough new national security show rate for the Pfizer shot before authorities on easing restrictions for
and has administered vaccines to law. those were halted. travelers who are vaccinated.
more than 13% of its population of
5.7 million. Some residents are worried by the Martin Wong, a professor at the Chi- That might work for some.
seven deaths that occurred after Sino- nese University of Hong Kong, co-
The government has expanded the vac shots. authored a survey published in Janu- Bilal Hussain, a doctoral student at
range of people who can get the shots, ary that showed only 37% of Hong the Hong Kong Polytechnic Univer-
allowing those 30 and above after ini- “According to the government, none Kong residents were willing to get sity, signed up to receive his first shot
tially prioritizing those 60 and older, of the deaths are related to the vac- a COVID-19 vaccine. He says the of the Sinovac vaccine after learning
and employees from essential indus- cine. Most of the patients had car- technology used, a manufacturer's that China had eased its policy to al-
tries. It is considering giving the shots diovascular conditions, so there must track record and reports of side ef- low foreign workers and their fami-
to anyone older than 16. be some association, but the govern- fects can all affect willingness to get lies to apply for visas into the country.
ment seems to be trying to dissociate the shots.
Slow progress on vaccinations could it,” said Belinda Lin, a Hong Kong Hussain’s wife and 5-year-old son are
slow the city's economic recovery. resident in her 30s. The government has advised people in China. He hasn't seen them since
Hong Kong is still grappling with with chronic illnesses to ask their January 2020.
coronavirus outbreaks and stringent “It’s an issue of responsibility, the doctors before getting the COVID-19
social distancing measures that are willingness to take responsibility – I vaccines. That can be difficult for “I’m hoping that maybe in the near
especially hard on bars, restaurants haven’t seen this yet,” said Lin, who many underprivileged Hong Kong future, China will open up their bor-
and the tourism industry. The jobless does not plan to get the vaccine as she seniors, said Ivan Lin from the rights ders for students who have been vac-
rate climbed to 7.2% in February, the says there is a lack of studies showing advocacy group Society of Commu- cinated,” he said.