Sophia Chan says vaccination rate will reach 50% by early September

At least 50 percent of Hongkongers would be vaccinated by early September, Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee said.

But she said Hong Kong will not be able to achieve herd immunity until the vaccination rate reaches 70 percent.

“Around 50,000 to 60,000 people are getting the jab every day, and the daily booking for the vaccine is more than 30,000,” Chan said in a radio program today.

“The vaccination rate could reach 50 percent or more by the end of August or early September,” she said.

But Chan said a vaccination rate of 50 percent is not enough and experts have said the rate should at least reach 70 percent to achieve herd immunity.

The government would consider relaxing social distancing measures if more than 70 percent of Hongkongers are vaccinated, she added.

Chan also said only a few elderly citizens in Hong Kong have received the jab, and the government will try to increase the vaccination rate in elderly care homes and other elderly communities.

“Only 10 percent of residents aged 80 or above have been vaccinated, while the vaccination rate for elderly aged 60 to 69 is just over 10 percent,” Chan said.

She added that the number is far lower than the vaccination rate of 70 to 80 percent in Singapore and other western countries.