Party in air draw amid jabs fear

Cathay Pacific Airways is offering a private party in the air for one lucky person, as well as 20 million Asia Miles for another 110 winners, in a lucky draw to help boost the SAR's vaccination drive.

That came as a Chinese University survey found only one in four people plan to get the jabs in the coming six months.

However, the poll by its medical school of 1,200 people was conducted from April 23 to May 8 - before developers last week announced a donation of a HK$10.8 million one-bedroom flat in Kwun Tong to a lottery for inoculated citizens and more incentives were launched by the private sector in response to a call by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.

More than 70 percent of the respondents were against the government providing cash benefits to tempt people into getting the jab. Among 27 percent who favored the incentives, 38 percent believed HK$1,000 was a reasonable vaccination reward.

Nearly seven in 10 of the respondents have not got the jabs in fear of deadly complications.

They also distrusted government recommendations and the origin of vaccines, while some were waiting for better vaccines to be developed.

On being asked whose advice would affect their decision to be inoculated, respondents said doctors' opinions would be most influential, followed by those of family and friends.

Researchers found there was no single incentive that would appeal to a large number of people.

Martin Wong Chi-sang of the school of public health and primary care, said the proportion of those willing to take the jabs being just 25 percent was expected.

"With the government starting to initiate incentives along with the private sector, these incentives need to come simultaneously and in variety for the ratio of people willing to receive the jabs to be boosted," he said.

Microbiology chairman Paul Chan Kay-sheung said: "The wrong impression of people dying after inoculation is still common. I think doctors should help promote inoculations in a more comprehensive manner."

Cathay Pacific yesterday announced its latest lucky draw for a once-in-a-lifetime private flight party in its A321neo jetliner, which will fly around Hong Kong while the winner and his vaccinated companions enjoy their party.

Another lottery will draw 10 winners to receive one million Asia Miles each and another 100 for 100,000 Asia Miles. Hong Kong ID card holders fully vaccinated by August are eligible for the draw, with details to be announced later.

The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce also chimed in with a lucky draw for prizes worth HK$20 million, including 500 MTR annual passes, Cathay Pacific business class tickets, hotel staycations, theme park packages, Ngong Ping 360 cable car passes and a wide variety of dining and shopping vouchers.