(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Advisory Panel on COVID-19 Vaccines recommended authorising the vaccine developed by BioNTech in collaboration with Fosun Pharma for emergency use in Hong Kong after its meeting today.

Panel Convenor Prof Wallace Lau made the announcement at a media session this afternoon, adding that the recommendation will be brought to the Secretary for Food & Health for consideration.

He explained that the panel has looked into the documents and data related to the safety, efficacy and quality of the BioNTech vaccine and agreed that the benefits of using it outweigh the risks.

Regarding the deaths reported after people were vaccinated in Norway, Prof Lau said the panel will ask the developer and health authorities for more information.

"According to the information that we have got, in Norway, up to 42,000 people have actually received the vaccine, of which 29 deaths were reported. Out of the 29 deaths, 13 so far, as reported, have been suggested as probably related to the vaccine.

"We understand that they were all elderly and they actually had multiple, what we call comorbidities - different medical conditions. We need to know whether the deaths were related to their underlying problems or to the vaccine.

"So we are actually asking for more information. We will also be approaching the regulatory agencies in Norway for such information."

The panel will advise the Government to take follow-up action or even stop using the vaccine if it is proved to have greater risks, he added.

"As for when we will recommend the Food & Health Bureau to, perhaps, stop the use of the vaccine, I think it will be very difficult to say, at this time, what the clear definitions are.

"It really depends on the overall efficacy and the benefits of this vaccine to the population of Hong Kong and the possible side effects that we will encounter later on."