'Get ready for a fourth jab'

Most people will eventually need a fourth Covid jab, said infectious-disease expert Ivan Hung Fan-ngai, adding that he hopes vaccines targeting the Omicron variant will come this year.

Hung said yesterday that those who are triple-jabbed do not need another booster jab in the near future as their antibodies will last between six months and a year after their third dose.

However, those with an impaired immune system, those who have undergone organ-transplant surgery and those who are undergoing chemotherapy may need to get a fourth jab.

Meanwhile, the community-vaccination center in Sheung Shui's Landmark North commenced operation yesterday. It is expected to provide the BioNTech vaccine for up to 1,500 people aged 12 or above every day.

It is also the second venue offered by Sun Hung Kai Properties for community vaccinations, with the first one being Millennium City 5 in Kwun Tong.

As of yesterday, over 6.14 million, or 91.3 percent of people aged 12 or above, have received their first jab.

Of these people, 5.45 million, or 81 percent, have received their second dose. Some 2.36 million have also received their booster jab.

Among children aged between three and 11, 55.5 percent, or 292,858 have received their first jab. Among them, 30,069 have taken their second jab.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said yesterday that students and parents should get vaccinated if they wish to resume in-person classes, urging primary students in particular to get jabbed.

Separately, Pfizer and its partner BioNTech SE filed an application on Tuesday seeking emergency authorization to use their vaccine as a second booster shot for those aged 65 and older, according to Reuters.