The public should consult their family doctors before booking for COVID-19 vaccination if they are uncertain about whether they have serious or uncontrolled chronic diseases.

Secretary for Health & Food Prof Sophia Chan made the remarks after attending a radio programme this morning, in response to media questions about a suspected serious adverse event following COVID-19 vaccination.

She said the Expert Committee on Clinical Events Assessment Following COVID-19 Immunisation has announced that so far no direct causality was found between the incident and the vaccination.

Prof Chan noted that the matter is under inquest by the Coroner’s Court and the expert committee will review it after the coroner’s report has come out.

“Both vaccines that the Government has authorised for emergency use are safe, efficacious and also of good quality.”

She added that it is understandable the number of vaccine bookings has dropped slightly since the incident.

“There are still bookings every day. We understand the situation. Perhaps the public would like to understand their own situation a little bit more. We also appeal to the public that if they are uncertain about their own situation whether they have serious chronic illness or uncontrolled chronic illness, they can actually consult their family doctors to understand more before they make a booking for vaccination.

“If there is an incident, the healthcare professionals will notify the Department of Health. In the centres, we will continue to monitor the situation and all people who have been vaccinated would have to wait at the centres for observation for 30 minutes before they can leave.

“If they have any adverse reactions during that time, there are healthcare professionals on site who will deal with the situation.

“We will continue to provide health education or information about the vaccines so that the people would gain confidence and understand more about whether or not they should be vaccinated.”