Dear Staff and Students,
We would like to share the following message from Department of Health about Updated information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and vaccines.
Health, Safety and Environment Office
Dear Sir/Madam,
Updated information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)and vaccines
1. Government extends social distancing measures under Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance
While the recent number of confirmed cases has been maintained at a low level, past experiences tell us that any relaxation of social distancing measures may lead to a rebound in the epidemic situation. The current vaccine take-up rate in Hong Kong is still far below the level that can achieve herd immunity. If, unfortunately, a new wave of the epidemic arrives, we will not be able to build a herd immunity barrier for protection. To guard against a rebound of the epidemic situation, the Government will continue to maintain the social distancing measures currently in place.
For details, please refer to:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202105/26/P2021052600690.htm
2. Vaccination Programme to cover eligible non-Hong Kong residents in phases
Given public health considerations, the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will cover Mainland residents who are holders of the Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (EEP) and will stay in Hong Kong for a period of time. In addition, the Government is preparing for vaccination of non-refoulement claimants and refugees recognised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Hong Kong. As for other travellers who continue to stay in Hong Kong owing to the pandemic, the Government will also announce the vaccination arrangement at a suitable juncture.
For details, please refer to:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202105/25/P2021052500329.htm
3. Update on monitoring COVID-19 vaccination
As at 8pm on May 23, around 1.25 million people had received at least one dose of vaccine. The majority of non-death cases of adverse events received so far are relatively minor cases.
The Expert Committee on Clinical Events Assessment Following COVID-19 Immunisation had concluded that eight death cases had no causal relationship with vaccination, and preliminarily considered that 24 cases were not associated with vaccination. Two cases were pending assessment. The Expert Committee considered that there is no unusual pattern identified so far, and will continue to closely monitor the relevant situation and collect data for assessment.
Vaccination is not only the most effective and thorough measure for preventing and controlling COVID-19 but also the key to overcoming the epidemic, resuming normal ways of life and early resumption of cross-boundary travel as early as possible. The Government calls on members of the public not to delay and get vaccinated as soon as possible while current stock lasts and the service capacity is still sufficient at the Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs).
For details, please refer to:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202105/26/P2021052600612.htm
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202105/25/P2021052500953.htm
More information on COVID-19 vaccines:
https://www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/en/
We would like to solicit your support to disseminate the information to your colleagues, work associates and/or business partners so that they could adopt proper preventive measures. Thank you very much for your support.
Department of Health
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敬啟者：
2019冠狀病毒病及疫苗的最新資訊
1. 政府延續《預防及控制疾病條例》下的社交距離措施
雖然近日確診個案數目維持於低水平，但根據過往經驗，放寬社交距離措施有機會導致疫情反彈。香港目前的疫苗接種率仍遠低於可達致羣體免疫的水平，如新一波疫情不幸來臨，並不足以築起羣體免疫屏障作保護。為嚴防疫情反彈，政府會繼續維持現行的社交距離措施。
詳情可參閱：
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202105/26/P2021052600685.htm
2. 疫苗接種計劃將分階段覆蓋合資格的非香港居民
基於公共衞生考慮，2019冠狀病毒病疫苗接種計劃將覆蓋持「雙程證」並將會在香港逗留一段時間的內地居民。此外，政府亦準備為在香港的免遣返聲請人及獲聯合國難民事務高級專員署（聯合國難民署）確認為難民的人接種疫苗。至於因疫情而繼續在港逗留的其他訪客，政府亦會適時公布接種安排。
詳情可參閱：
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202105/25/P2021052500333.htm
3. 疫苗接種監測更新
截至五月二十三日晚上八時，已接種最少一劑疫苗的巿民約125萬名。至今接獲的非死亡異常事件個案大部分為較輕微的個案。
新冠疫苗臨床事件評估專家委員會已總結八宗死亡個案與疫苗接種沒有因果關係，初步認為24宗個案與疫苗接種沒有關聯，兩宗個案尚待評估。專家委員會認為至今並未發現有不尋常的現象，會繼續密切監察有關情況並收集數據以作評估。
接種疫苗是防控疫情最有效和最徹底的措施，亦是克服疫情、恢復正常生活、盡早與各地通關的關鍵。政府呼籲市民不要再持觀望態度，趁疫苗充足及疫苗接種中心有足夠容量時盡早接種疫苗。
詳情可參閱：
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202105/26/P2021052600610.htm
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202105/25/P2021052500877.htm
更多新冠疫苗資訊：
www.covidvaccine.gov.hk
希望你可以將有關資訊與你的同事、合作者及／或業務伙伴分享，讓他們都能採取合適的預防措施。非常感謝你的支持。
衞生署
