The satellite community vaccination centre on 7/F, Leighton Centre in Causeway Bay started operations today to provide the BioNTech vaccination service to the public.

Inspecting its first-day service, Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip said that with the daily number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the rise and the death of elderly people reported, the current epidemic situation is of grave concern.

“The situation has posed an unprecedented threat to Hong Kong. Under the epidemic, we strive to reach a vaccination rate of 90% as soon as possible.”

The COVID-19 jab provides self-protection for vaccinated people and helps reduce the risk of falling seriously ill and death should one get infected; at the same time, it safeguards the already overloaded public healthcare system, he stressed.

“Every person has a role to play under the epidemic. Those who have not yet received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, especially elderly people, must take prompt action and then receive their second and third doses on time. Those who have already received their vaccinations on time should encourage and make arrangements for elderly members in their families to get vaccinated.”

Expected to provide a maximum of over 1,000 jabs to the public every day, the new vaccination centre operates daily from 8am to 8pm, and is closed between 1.30pm and 2.30pm for cleaning. All eligible citizens can get their first, second or third dose of the BioNTech jab there, but no same-day tickets will be distributed.

Additionally, to better the public’s understanding of COVID-19 vaccines, the Government has set up a COVID-19 vaccination resource centre on UG/F of Leighton Centre to offer information including vaccination venues and the latest situation of COVID-19 vaccination in Hong Kong.