For some, getting aging parents vaccinated a very tough decision

Media veteran Walter Cheung Shu-wai says his 94-year-old mother, who has high blood pressure, has taken her first dose after religious establishments were included in the no-jab, no-entry pass from February 24.

Cheung, managing director of a communication agency, said he was thankful his mother did not suffer side effects.

Letting her get inoculated was not an easy decision.

"Our family had been thinking about it for more than half a year,'' Cheung said.

"We see that the epidemic is getting more and more serious and it would be risky if my mother gets infected.

"I'm thankful that she looks completely fine after the vaccination."

Cheung's mother got the BioNTech vaccine on Thursday. She has decided to receive a second dose, Cheung said, adding the doctor also advised his mother to get the jab.

Cheung's mother - who goes to church every week - decided to get vaccinated after it was announced that religious venues will be included in the vaccine pass.

The elderly group has the lowest vaccination rate in Hong Kong, despite the government's calls for them to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

As of Saturday, only 37 percent of those aged 80 and above had received the first dose while the city's overall first dose coverage had reached almost 83 percent.

Around 66 percent of those aged 70 to 79 have been vaccinated, while nearly 80 percent of those aged 60 to 69 have taken the first jab.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong earlier said around 4,000 elderly residents at care homes are waiting to get vaccinated.

Law appealed to private doctors to prioritize administering jabs for the elderly as they are at higher risk of death following infection.

The government has also set up three new community vaccination centers at Tuen Mun Town Hall, Wo Hing Playground in Fan Ling and Sha Tin Town Hall.