US data shows BioNTech vaccine safe for toddlers, health expert says

University of Hong Kong's microbiologist Ho Pak-leung said on Thursday that the BioNTech vaccine is safe for toddlers, citing US data in which over 600,000 toddlers receiving the jabs did not develop myocarditis.

Speaking on a radio program this morning, Ho said parents should not view the outcome of the inoculation for other age groups the same as what could happen to their young kids.

He stressed that if parents are objective, rational, and believe in science, they should arrange for their kids to receive the BioNTech jabs, whereas those who believe in government health experts could also choose the Sinovac vaccine.

Meanwhile, with the BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children able to be kept at room temperature for up to 12 hours and has strong stability, Ho said authorities could arrange outreach vaccination services for toddlers at kindergartens.

Commenting on the city’s possible implementation of the “0+7” quarantine scheme, he said if the city has to reopen borders to overseas travelers, authorities should cancel the two-color health code requirement in the short run.

He explained that inbound travelers have a lower infection risk than locals, given they have tested negative for the coronavirus at the airport.

“If the “0+7” scheme has to tag along the two-color health code requirement, Hong Kong would become a ‘takeaway paradise for travelers instead of a ‘food paradise’,” Ho added.