HKU and Central Library to host new jab centers

Two more vaccination centers are set to open next week in Causeway Bay and on the University of Hong Kong campus in Pok Fu Lam.

A community vaccination center will be set up at Hong Kong Central Library in Causeway Bay from February 23 to provide Sinovac jabs for youngsters aged three to 17 and seniors aged 60 and above.

The center will operate daily from 8am to 8pm and will be closed from 1.30pm to 2.30pm for cleaning.

People can make online reservations from 9am on Monday. Same-day tickets will also be available for children, teenagers and the elderly.

HKU will launch a public community vaccination center on its main campus in Pok Fu Lam from February 23 targeting the elderly.

The center will be located at the historic Loke Yew Hall and provide 2,000 BioNTech jabs daily to those aged 18 and above, but priority will be given to the elderly.

Doctors will be present on-site to advise people who have health concerns about getting the vaccine.

The HKU center will also operate from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.

Reservations can be made starting today through the government's vaccination booking system. Walk-in quotas will be set aside, with priority for seniors.

HKU has another community vaccination center at Gleneagles Hospital in Wong Chuk Hang, managed by the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine. It will be providing BioNTech jabs to children aged five to 11 from February 24.

Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip Tak-kuen said the government will continue to speed up vaccination efforts with the goal of having 90 percent of the population aged 12 and above jabbed with at least one dose within the next two weeks.

As of yesterday, 84.9 percent of people aged 12 or above had the first jab, while 11.8 percent of children aged three to 11 received the first dose.

The government reminded people to update their LeaveHomeSafe mobile apps for the launch of the vaccine pass on Thursday.

The spokesman for the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer reminded people to store their electronic vaccination records or exemption certificates on the app.

Those who encounter any difficulties using the app can seek assistance from the OGCIO mobile support stations between 9am and 6pm at 25 MTR stations.

sophie.hui@singtaonewscorp.com