The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic causes a significant disease burden worldwide. In Hong Kong, cases and outbreaks continue to be reported. To reduce the impacts of COVID-19 on public health and society and for the community to resume normal activities in a sustainable way, a substantial proportion of our population should get vaccinated early. In fact, vaccines against COVID-19 is considered an important public health tool for containing the pandemic in the medium and long term by increasing the population immunity against SARS-CoV-2.
Local data showed that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in reducing hospitalization and death across all age groups in the adult population.
Taking reference from the recommendations of the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Disease and Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (JSC) under the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health; the supply of the vaccines, and the progress of the vaccination programme, the Government reviews the epidemic situation in a timely manner. For the latest vaccination arrangement, please visit About the Programme.
COVID-19 vaccines are mainly developed from four different technology platforms, including inactivated vaccine (e.g. Sinovac "CoronaVac" and Sinopharm), mRNA vaccine (e.g. BioNTech/Fosun "Comirnaty" and Moderna "Spikevax"), viral vector vaccine (e.g. AstraZeneca and CanSino "Convidecia"), and protein subunit vaccine (e.g. Novavax).
For the vaccines available under the Government Programme, please refer to FAQ 3.
For self-paid COVID-19 vaccination outside the Government Vaccination Programme in private market, please refer to FAQ 35.
Under the Government Vaccination Programme, the information of current and previous COVID-19 vaccines available to the members of the public is tabulated below.
| Technology platforms |
Messenger RNA (mRNA) |
Inactivated | |
| Abbreviation | Comirnaty | Moderna | Sinovac |
| Product name (English) | Comirnaty | Spikevax | CoronaVac |
| Product name (Chinese) | 復必泰 | - | 克爾來福 |
| Formulations and the active ingredients | (1) Omicron XBB.1.5 formulation (30 micrograms Raxtozinameran per dose)# (2) Omicron XBB.1.5 paediatric formulation (10 micrograms Raxtozinameran per dose) (3) Omicron XBB.1.5 toddler formulation (3 micrograms Raxtozinameran per dose) (4) JN.1 formulation (30 micrograms Bretovameran per dose)# |
JN.1 formulation# Adolescents and adults aged 12 or above (0.5 ml per dose, equivalent to 50 micrograms SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 mRNA) |
Ancestral strain formulation 0.5 ml per dose containing Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Virus (CZ02 strain) with aluminium hydroxide as adjuvant |
| Route of administration | Intramuscular The JSC recommended intramuscular injection at mid-anterolateral thigh, especially for children and adolescents. |
Intramuscular | |
| Excipients | ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate) (ALC-0315) / 2-[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide (ALC-0159) / 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine(DSPC) / cholesterol / trometamol / trometamol hydrochloride / sucrose / water for injections | SM-102 (heptadecan-9-yl 8-{(2-hydroxyethyl)[6-oxo-6-(undecyloxy)hexyl]amino}octanoate) / cholesterol / 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) / 1,2-Dimyristoyl-rac-glycero-3-methoxypolyethylene glycol-2000 (PEG2000-DMG) / trometamol / trometamol hydrochloride / acetic acid / sodium acetate trihydrate / sucrose / water for injections |
Disodium hydrogen phosphate / monosodium dihydrogen phosphate / sodium chloride / water for injections |
| Remarks | (1) Registered pharmaceutical product (HK-68019) under Cap. 138A (2) - (3) are used under special circumstances to meet the requirements of the Government Vaccination Programme (4) Registered pharmaceutical product (HK-68417) under Cap. 138A# Ancestral strain vaccine and Original/Omicron BA.4-5 Bivalent vaccine are ceased to be used under the Government Vaccination Programme. |
Registered pharmaceutical product (HK-68388) under Cap.138A# Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccine is ceased to be used under the Government Vaccination Programme. |
The formulation of this vaccine is identical to its registered counterpart (HK-67663) This vaccine is ceased to be used under the Government Vaccination Programme. |
# The Government will start to provide JN.1 COVID-19 vaccine for eligible persons aged 12 years or above from 19 November 2024.
The minimum age for receiving COVID-19 vaccines is 6 months old.
Currently, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines can be used as initial doses or addition booster under the Government Programme.
According to the latest recommendation by JSC, the following individuals would only need to take one dose of mRNA or two doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines to complete the initial doses:
- Persons aged 5 years or above regardless of history of infection; and
- Persons aged 6 months to 4 years with prior COVID-19 infection
Please note the following persons would need to follow the manufacturers’ recommendation to take two or three doses of COVID-19 vaccines to complete the initial doses:
- Persons aged 6 months to 4 years without prior COVID-19 infection
Furthermore, immunocompromised persons would need to take more COVID-19 vaccine doses compared to others, please refer to “FAQs on Immunocompromised Persons” for details.
For the number of doses and respective recommended dosing schedules for different groups of citizens under the Government Vaccination Programme, please refer to “How many doses of COVID-19 vaccine are recommended for me?”
If you plan to receive other types of vaccine with the COVID-19 vaccine, please go to Question 8.
In case more than one dose of COVID-19 vaccine is needed to complete initial doses (i.e. persons aged 6 months to 4 years without prior infection), they are advised to receive the same product when possible. In exceptional situation where the same COVID-19 vaccine is not available for recipients to complete initial doses (e.g. due to severe side effect after the first dose; or such COVID-19 vaccine is no longer available / accessible), vaccination with another type / brand of COVID-19 vaccine may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Health care professionals will arrange the vaccination based on individual circumstances.
Starting from 4 October 2024, the Government COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will only provide mRNA vaccine. For citizens who are eligible for additional booster, if they had received inactivated COVID-19 vaccine as their initial doses, they may choose to receive the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine as their additional booster doses.
COVID-19 vaccines can be co-administered with, or at any time before or after, any other vaccines (*) including live attenuated vaccines under informed consent. If clients / parents of children wish to space out COVID-19 vaccine with live attenuated vaccines (e.g. Measles, Mumps, Rubella & Varicella (MMRV) Vaccine; Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV)), an interval of 14 days is sufficient.
For more information on co-administration of COVID-19 vaccines and Seasonal Influenza Vaccination, please click here.
* Remark: If individuals at high risk of exposure of Mpox (also known as monkeypox) need to arrange for pre-exposure Mpox vaccination, it is recommended an interval of at least 4 weeks before or after mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (e.g. BioNTech, Moderna)
Noting the results of early vaccine effectiveness studies, JSC considered that the XBB-containing mRNA vaccines could provide enhanced protection against JN.1.
Experts also recommended that JN.1 lineage COVID-19 vaccine, when available in Hong Kong, should be used for appropriate persons. The Government will start to provide JN.1 COVID-19 vaccine for eligible persons aged 12 years or above from 19 November 2024.
Generally speaking, laboratory testing of COVID-19 (PCR or serology) is not routinely required before or after administration of COVID-19 vaccines. A negative result or low antibody level may not correlate with lack of protection. If you experience COVID-19 symptoms, consult a doctor and get tested if necessary.
Please click here for the relevant blood donor screening policy.
Before you receive any COVID-19 vaccines under the Government Programme, please visit About the Vaccines and check the relevant vaccination factsheet for the suitability.
For persons with allergic history, be cautious for the 2 conditions below and they should consult doctor:
For those who have anaphylaxis after the vaccination, please consult your doctor.
Anaphylaxis refers to a severe and immediate allergic reaction that include clinical signs and symptoms such as hives, nausea, dizziness, hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure), swelling, or wheezing (respiratory distress). From 14 to 23 December 2020, a total of 1,893,360 doses of Comirnaty(BioNTech) vaccine were given as first dose in the U.S. Among adverse events reported to their Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), 21 of these reports were determined to be anaphylaxis following vaccination by Comirnaty(BioNTech) vaccine, corresponding to a rate of 11.1 per million doses administered. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), follow-up information was available for 20 of these cases and all had recovered or had been discharged home. 17 of these 21 cases (81%) had a documented history of allergies or allergic reactions, and seven had a history of anaphylaxis.
COVID-19 vaccination should be delayed for individuals suffering from acute febrile diseases.
However, if you have a mild fever or upper airway infection like a cold, you may consult healthcare personnel.
Please refer to “Points to Note and Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19 Vaccination for Children and Adolescents”.
Pregnant women are at higher risk of developing complications from COVID-19 infections.
COVID-19 vaccine can be safely given at any time during pregnancy. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that COVID-19 vaccination in mid-second trimester is preferred to optimize protection of the pregnant women, the foetus and the infant.
WHO does not recommend discontinuing breastfeeding because of vaccination. As mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are not a live vaccine, it is biologically and clinically unlikely to pose a risk to the breastfeeding child.
According to the Joint Statement by The Hong Kong Paediatric Society, The Macau Pediatric Society, The Hong Kong Chinese Medical Association Ltd., The Hong Kong Society for Paediatric Immunology Allergy and Infectious Diseases, The Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Paediatric and Adolescent Dermatology Society, The College of Nursing Hong Kong, The Hong Kong College of Paediatric Nursing, The Hong Kong Paediatric Nurses Association, Against Child Abuse, The Hong Kong Midwives Association and The Hong Kong School Nurse Association Ltd (dated 20 October 2023), pregnant and breastfeeding women are strongly recommended to complete their COVID-19 vaccination according to the local recommendation.
For Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (HKCOG) advice on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnant and lactating women (interim; updated on 6 May 2022), please click here.
Taking into account the latest WHO recommendation, local situation of COVID-19, overseas practice and latest scientific evidence, JSC recommend pregnant women to receive another booster (once during each pregnancy) at least 180 days after the last dose or recovery from COVID-19 infection. For details, please refer to “How many doses of COVID-19 vaccine are recommended for me?”
Local studies have shown that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in reducing hospitalization and death across all age groups in the adult population. Older adults continue to be at the greatest risk of severe disease and mortality due to COVID-19 and they should receive COVID-19 vaccination at recommended interval.
Please refer to the following infographics:
Taking into account the latest WHO recommendation, local situation of COVID-19, overseas practice and latest scientific evidence, the JSC recommends persons aged 18 or above with underlying comorbidities to receive another booster at least 180 days after the last dose or recovery from COVID-19 infection. For details, please refer to “How many doses of COVID-19 vaccine are recommended for me?”
According to the consensus and recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination for patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases issued by the Hong Kong Society of Rheumatology in May 2021, if the condition is relatively stable and there is no recent adjustment in medication, experts believe these patients should consider receiving the COVID-19 vaccination to reduce the chance of contracting COVID-19 and suffering from its complications. Although rheumatic diseases is a group of long-term diseases, it is not a contraindication to the COVID-19 vaccine. In most cases, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.
Individuals on oral anticoagulants can get COVID-19 vaccination and they should continue the medication. After the intramuscular injection of the vaccine, direct pressure for 5 minutes or more should be applied to the injection site.
Capillary Leak Syndrome may present with symptoms and signs of rapid swelling of arms and legs, sudden weight gain, feeling faint and low blood pressure etc. If you have previous episodes of Capillary Leak Syndrome, please discuss with you healthcare provider before receiving mRNA vaccine.
According to the latest recommendation by JSC, persons aged 6 months to 4 years with prior COVID-19 infection would need to receive one dose of mRNA or two doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines to complete their initial doses. As for persons aged 5 years or above, regardless of prior history of COVID-19 infection, they would also need to receive one dose of mRNA or two doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines to complete initial doses.
For additional boosters applicable to persons belonging to high-risk priority groups who had completed initial doses, a booster dose is recommended to be given at least 180 days after the last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later) for free, regardless of the number of doses received previously. For details, please refer to “How many doses of COVID-19 vaccine are recommended for me?”.
Persons who are unsure for COVID-19 infection history
COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to persons who are unsure if they had previous COVID-19 infection as if they have not been infected. COVID-19 vaccine is safe in people with evidence of previous COVID-19 infection. Prior COVID-19 screening before administration of COVID-19 vaccine is neither needed nor recommended.
To increase the antibody level, persons who are unsure if they had a previous COVID-19 infection or persons who do not have their recovery record in the Department of Health's system are recommended to follow the relevant vaccination requirements applicable to uninfected persons. In other words, relevant persons are recommended to receive the vaccine dosage applicable to uninfected persons in time in accordance with their age groups.
Citizens may send an email to enquiry_chpweb@dh.gov.hk to inquire about recovery records in the Government’s system.
Persons with prior COVID-19 exposure
COVID-19 vaccines are currently not recommended as post-exposure prophylaxis. There is currently no evidence on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination as post-exposure prophylaxis.
Based on the latest recommendation by JSC, most citizens would need one dose of mRNA or two doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines to complete initial doses, please refer to Question 5 for details.
For those citizens who are still eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine under the Government vaccination programme, who had received COVID-19 vaccine outside Hong Kong, and not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine in Hong Kong, please bring along with your identity document, proof of your previous dose vaccination record (with date, venue of vaccination and type of vaccine) issued outside Hong Kong on the vaccination day.They may directly go to the vaccination venues where allowed the walk-in for vaccination. Vaccination may be provided by staff after clarification and consideration of relevant details, including those of the previous dose vaccination.
For more information regarding additional booster for eligible individuals, please see Question 31.
According to the information provided by Fosun Pharma/BioNTech, there is currently no halal certificate for Comirnaty vaccines supplied to Hong Kong.
According to the information provided by Moderna, the COVID-19 vaccine supplied to Hong Kong does not contain materials of animal origin, including porcine derived products. However, the vaccine has not been Halal certified.
Taking the COVID-19 vaccine is permissible according to Shariah law. Many Islamic authorities and scholars are of the view that receiving COVID-19 vaccination as an intramuscular injection does not invalidate the fast.
Please refer to the “How many doses of COVID-19 vaccine are recommended for me?”
Persons with underlying comorbidities include the following groups:
(i) Chronic cardiovascular (except hypertension without complications), lung diseases
(ii) Metabolic or kidney diseases, obesity (Body Mass Index 30 or above)
(iii) Chronic neurological conditions that can compromise respiratory functions or the handling of respiratory secretions, or increase the risk or aspiration, or those who lack the ability to take care of themselves
(iv) Children and adolescents (aged 6 months to 18 years) on long-term aspirin therapy
On the vaccination day, persons with underlying comorbidities please bring the doctor’s letter or other supporting documents (such as outpatient appointment letter, record of appointment, certificate of attendance, sick leave certificate, medical fee receipt, medical report, doctor's prescription or packaging of prescribed medications indicating identity of the vaccine recipient) for on-site healthcare staff's assessment. They may also consult the on-site healthcare staff as appropriate.
(i) Cancer or hematological malignancy on active immunosuppressive treatment now or in the past 12 months
(ii) Recipients of solid organ transplant or stem cell transplant on immunosuppressive treatment
(iii) Severe primary immunodeficiency or on chronic dialysis
(iv) Advanced or untreated HIV disease
(v) On active immunosuppressive drugs, or immunosuppressive chemotherapy/radiotherapy in past 6 months
Immunocompromised persons should bring the relevant medical certificate to the designated vaccination venue on the day of the vaccination in order to confirm their eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccination in according the schedule for immunocompromised persons. A medical certificate template is available [for download here]. For immunocompromised patients who would like to receive vaccination, if the relevant medical certificate has been issued for their earlier dose vaccination, they can bring along the relevant certificate within the validity period for receiving vaccination.
Immunocompromised persons may also consult the on-site healthcare staff direct if needed.
Healthcare workers include:
(i) frontline health workers
(ii) supporting staff working in the healthcare setting
(iii) staff in the residential care homes
(iv) laboratory personnel handling SARS-CoV-2 virus
Healthcare workers should bring their staff card or other supporting document(s) to the designated vaccination venue in order to confirm their eligibility to receive the additional booster.
The JSC recommended that any currently available vaccines are effective in reducing severe COVID-19 infection and death.
The key to maintain the protection conferred by the vaccine is to receive suitable doses in a timely manner according to the vaccination schedule. The World Health Organization (WHO) also said that high-risk persons should receive booster doses at appropriate times to lower the risks of serious illness and death.
Taking into account the latest scientific evidence, WHO and international recommendations as well as local situation, JSC considered that eligible individuals should consider opting for the monovalent XBB.1.5 mRNA vaccine for initial and booster vaccination.
In addition, experts recommended that JN.1 lineage vaccine, when available in Hong Kong, should be used for appropriate persons. The Government will start to provide JN.1 COVID-19 vaccine for eligible persons aged 12 years or above from 19 November 2024.
In view that any vaccine would undergo evaluation by the regulatory authority to ensure meeting of safety, efficacy and quality requirements for registration in Hong Kong, the JSC has no objection to the use of registered COVID-19 vaccines in Hong Kong according to manufacturer’s recommendation and clinical assessment. Vaccination should be given under informed consent.
Please refer to FAQ 3 for the vaccine available under the Government Vaccination Programme.
Please refer to FAQ 35 for the self-paid COVID-19 vaccination outside the Government Programme.
If the vaccinated person is eligible for receiving the additional booster and the latest dose was not received in Hong Kong, please bring along with your identity document, proof of your previous dose(s) vaccination record (with date, venue of vaccination and type of vaccine) issued outside Hong Kong to the vaccination venues (where allowed the walk-in) directly. Vaccination may be provided by staff after clarification and consideration of relevant details, including those of the previous dose(s) vaccination.
In addition, if citizens have previously received vaccine outside Hong Kong and cannot make an appointment for the next dose with correct dose sequence of the vaccine through the online system, they may go directly to the vaccination venues (where allowed the walk-in) for vaccination. In addition, they can choose private doctors and clinics participating in the programme, and make appointment for vaccination directly with the private doctors and clinics.
For vaccination arrangement for infected persons, please also see FAQ 23.
For the list of vaccination venues, please browse “About the Programme” page.
Eligible citizens can choose the vaccination locations for the booster at any venues under the Government Vaccination Programme subject to their opening arrangement, such as vaccine(s) available, opening hours and booking arrangement. Through the vaccination record system, medical staff at different vaccination locations can view the past local vaccination records and input the record for the booster.
COVID-19 vaccine of any technology platform that are currently being used under the Government Vaccination Programme can be used as initial or booster doses. The arrangement is subject to timely update based on the vaccine availability and experts’ recommendation.
The vaccination record would display the dose sequence actually received. It will not show the “additional booster” or “COVID-19 booster” in the record.
The private market would provide the vaccination for registered COVID-19 vaccine (self-paid), which is outside the Government Vaccination Programme. The vaccine manufacturer / supplier would freely choose to import the registered vaccine and sell to private medical organisation or doctor for non-Government programme use.
For the List of registered COVID-19 vaccines, please click here.
For those who are not covered by the Government for free COVID-19 vaccination (including Hong Kong residents not under priority groups and non-Hong Kong residents), if they would like to receive vaccine, please consult a family doctor for the supply for registered vaccine in private market and consider to receive vaccination at their own expense for personal protection. Relevant charges are decided by private sectors.
For the arrangement for the provision of COVID-19 vaccines in private market, please click here.
Experts emphasised that the current booster recommendation should not be positioned as an annual or regular COVID-19 vaccine booster.
The Government has launched the territory-wide COVID-19 Vaccination Programme (the Government Programme) to offer COVID-19 vaccination free of charge to all eligible persons in a phased and orderly manner according to their risk categories. Under the Government Programme, COVID-19 vaccination will be available in different locations, including hospitals and clinics, and outreach to residential care.
The Government has set up an online booking system for citizens to make COVID-19 vaccination appointment in designated venues. Citizens may also visit other venues where online booking is not required. For details, please see the list of vaccination venues.
The Department of Health has participated in the “SMS Sender Registration Scheme” introduced by the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA). After making the vaccination appointment via the online booking system, citizens will receive a confirmation / reminder SMS sending from the registered SMS sender IDs with the prefix "#DH-VACCINE".
Please refer to the relevant webpage section.
Currently, the online booking system only accept five identity documents, i.e. Hong Kong Identity Card, Hong Kong Birth Certificate, Consular Corps Identity Card, Holders of an acknowledgement of application for an identity card and Certificate of Exemption. For Hong Kong resident who are holding other identity documents, please bring the identity document to the Private Clinic COVID-19 Vaccination Stations (PCVSs), small amount of daily quota would be reserved for persons who cannot make online bookings due to some special scenarios.
To use the online booking system, citizens will need to fulfill the vaccination interval and age requirements within 28 days from the date of making appointment.
If citizens have received COVID-19 vaccination under Government Vaccination Programme before, citizens should carefully input the last dose vaccination date. You are encouraged to check the date shown on your electronic vaccination record. Please browse Question 43 and 50 for more information.
Citizens may contact the venue providing walk-in quota to make vaccination appointment. For details, please see the list of vaccination venues.
If you have not received vaccination in Hong Kong before, please visit the page “Persons with Non-local Vaccination” for information on receiving further vaccination.
The online booking system is currently support the vaccination bookings from the 1st to 9th dose. If you are currently eligible to receive the 10th dose, you can also go directly to vaccination venues which provide daily walk-in quota.
For further enquiries, please send an email to vacs@dh.gov.hk
Please click here for more information on the inclement weather arrangements.
Citizens who are unable to attend the appointment as scheduled, they may change the appointment before the scheduled time at the vaccination booking website. If the scheduled time had been passed, citizens may book a new appointment at the vaccination booking website.
If you have further enquiries for Government Vaccination Programme, you may directly consult the staff in the vaccination venues or your family doctor.
Under the COVID-19 Government Vaccination Programme, vaccination service providers will require documenting the COVID-19 vaccination details to the relevant information system. Members of the public can retrieve the electronic or printable version of vaccination records through the “Vaccines” function on the eHealth app.
If you have problem in accessing your COVID-19 vaccination record through the eHealth app, please contact the Electronic Health Record Registration Office (Hotline: 3467 6300 or email: ehr@ehealth.gov.hk) for enquiries.
If you found an error regarding the recovery information in the electronic vaccination record, please send email to enquiry_chpweb@dh.gov.hk for enquiries.
If you found an error regarding the personal particulars in the electronic vaccination record, please see Question 46.
The batch / lot numbers of the vaccines are available on your vaccination record.
Citizens will receive their vaccination records in paper form after vaccination. They can also download the electronic / printable version through the "Vaccines" function on the eHealth mobile application (eHealth app).
For persons who received vaccination under the Government Programme, you may send email to vacs@dh.gov.hk to seek assistance. Please provide in your email the Reference number (Ref) at the bottom left of the paper vaccination record. If no reference number was printed on your paper vaccination record or if you prefer enquiry by other methods, you may seek assistance from your Vaccination Service Provider (i.e. the relevant clinics).
For persons who received vaccination at their own costs outside the Government Programme, please seek assistance from your vaccination service providers.
For the recovered information in the Electronic Vaccination Record, please send email to enquiry_chpweb@dh.gov.hk
If you want to change the contact number of the vaccination booking, please send email to vacs@dh.gov.hk for enquiries.
The COVID-19 vaccination record in Hong Kong for Hong Kong Resident is based on the record of the Hong Kong Identity Card. The personal particulars in the vaccination record should be matched with the Hong Kong Identity Card. Thus, it is unable to change to use the passport information for record.
Information on the date of birth and sex of the vaccine recipient, as well as the manufacturer of the vaccine the person received have been added to the COVID-19 vaccination records issued by the HKSAR Government since September 29, 2021, with a view to meeting the travel rules (including vaccination requirements) that are becoming more commonly adopted by some overseas jurisdictions. For details, please refer to Vaccination Records under About the Programme.
Members of the public who wish to travel to places outside Hong Kong should check before departure the destination's entry rules, including vaccination requirements, and that the latest announcement by the destination's government shall prevail.
Since the different vaccination venues have different computer systems and equipments setup, some vaccination venues provide the vaccination records in black and white, and some of them do not contain the reference number. However, it will not affect the accuracy and completeness of the vaccination record. Vaccine recipients can rest assured to keep the record.
If you have declared your non-local vaccination record to the Government, and then received vaccination in Hong Kong as well as registered with eHealth by the same identity document, you can use the "Vaccines" function on the eHealth app to view both the local and non-local electronic vaccination records.
You can also input your non-local vaccination record to the eHealth app for uploading to the eHealth system. For enquiry on eHealth registration, please contact the Electronic Health Record Registration Office (Hotline: 3467 6300 or email: ehr@ehealth.gov.hk).
Please note that the paper vaccination record issued by the Department of Health would only display vaccination records administered in Hong Kong but not your non-local vaccination record registered through voluntary declaration.
Members of the public may make reference to Question 43 to learn about the way to check the electronic vaccination record in order to book for vaccination via the online booking system.
In addition, clinics under the Government Vaccination Programme are allowed to access the local COVID-19 vaccination record of the citizens. Clinics can print out complete local vaccination record after the citizens receiving new dose of vaccination. Eligible citizens for vaccination may contact the vaccination venues direct in order to learn about the booking arrangement for free vaccination. Please click here for the list of vaccination venues.
To date, sufficient scientific evidences and safety data are in place to indicate that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh the risks. The vaccines not only protect individuals from COVID-19 infection but also reduce the seriousness of condition of infected persons who has received vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines which fulfilled safety, efficacy and quality have also applied for registration according to the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations (Cap. 138A).
The Prevention and Control of Disease (Use of Vaccines) Regulation (Cap.599K) has expired at midnight on 23 December 2023. The COVID-19 vaccines are regulated by the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations (Cap. 138A).
According to Cap. 138A, pharmaceutical products (including vaccines) must satisfy the criteria of safety, efficacy and quality for registration with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong (the Board) before they can be sold or supplied in Hong Kong.
The Department of Health (DH) has an established mechanism to closely follow up on every report of adverse drug reaction (including vaccines) received. All along, DH has a pharmacovigilance system in place, and conducts causality assessment on received reports of Adverse Event Following Immunization (in particular serious adverse events) from pharmaceutical trade and healthcare professionals. The reports will be assessed to ascertain whether they are associated with the vaccination. DH also monitors the latest safety and efficacy assessment issued by drug regulatory authorities of advanced countries and jurisdictions and the references promulgated by the World Health Organization. If the risks of the vaccine considered outweigh by the benefits, DH will take appropriate actions including referral of the relevant information to the Registration Committee established under the Board for consideration on the necessity to suspend the registration or deregister the vaccine.
With regards to the possible adverse effect following immunisation of COVID-19 vaccines, DH will conduct monitoring in accordance with Cap. 138A and make reference to the prevailing mechanism, while maintaining the same level of vigilance for control.
Information on side effects can be found under "About the Vaccines".
In general, common side effects of COVID-19 vaccines are usually mild and temporary. Some may experience more severe, but in general rare, adverse effects. After receiving vaccination, you will be required to stay in observation area for 15 minutes.
To reduce pain and discomfort where you got the shot, you may apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the area. Gently exercise your arm. To reduce discomfort from mild fever, drink plenty of fluids.
Seek advice from your doctor or other healthcare professionals (e.g. dentists, pharmacists, nurses and Chinese medicine practitioners) if:
If you do seek medical attention, make sure you tell the healthcare professionals about your vaccination details and show them your vaccination record card if available. They will offer advice, manage your condition and make proper assessment for reporting to the Department of Health any adverse event following immunisation that is deemed medically significant.
If you have history of immediate (within 1 hour) severe allergic reaction to prior COVID-19 vaccination or to more than 1 class of drugs, or allergic reaction to prior COVID-19 vaccination which is not self-limiting or did not resolve by oral anti-allergy drugs, please consult your doctor.
The AEFI Fund is to provide financial support to eligible individuals who have proof of suffering unexpected serious adverse events (SAEs) (including death and serious injury) associated with COVID-19 vaccine administered under the Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme on or before 23 December 2023. For details, please refer to click here.
All SAEs should be reported by medical professionals through the platform of Department of Health. After a report arising from an SAE is received, Expert Committee on Clinical Events Assessment following COVID-19 Immunization will conduct causality assessment. The affected individual will be eligible for a lump-sum payment at a level corresponding to the event under the Fund if the below two conditions are met –
The levels of maximum payouts for fatal and injuries cases have been drawn up with reference to the amounts of compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance (Cap. 282).
Payout for death associated with listed serious adverse events
|
Age of deceased individual |
Amount of payout |
|
under 40 |
$2,500,000 |
|
40 or above |
$2,000,000 |
Payout for injuries associated with listed serious adverse events
|
Age of injured individual |
Maximum Amount of payout |
|
under 40 |
$3,000,000 |
|
40 or above |
$2,500,000 |
Claims to the AEFI Fund should be made within two years of vaccination of the last dose of the vaccine.
Receiving payment from the Fund will not affect the right of an individual to seek legal recourse for damages or loss against the vaccine manufacturer. A claimant can still undertake civil action against any person responsible for bodily injury. However, a claimant cannot receive double indemnity. If a claimant receives compensation as adjudged in court, the amount he/she previously received from the AEFI Fund will be offset from the court’s award.