Hong Kong: No more free vaccines for non-Hong Kong residents from Jan. 16

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According to the HKSAR Government’s press release, the HKSAR Government announced on January 12 that non-Hong Kong residents will not be provided with free vaccination under the Government’s New Champions Vaccination Programme from January 16 onwards. Non-Hong Kong residents can receive the new vaccine through private healthcare institutions that provide self-funded vaccination services if they need it.

The SAR Government announced earlier that starting from December 23, 2022, the Government Vaccination Programme (GVP) will give priority to Hong Kong residents to receive the diphtheria vaccine and the paediatric and paediatric formula vaccine free of charge, except in limited circumstances. Non-Hong Kong residents may continue to receive the Fovitai original strain vaccine and the Keraflex vaccine under the GVP, subject to certain stay requirements.

In view of the recent increase in demand for vaccination against the new strains of virus in Hong Kong and the increasing availability of self-financed vaccination services in the private sector, the Government will adjust the free vaccination arrangement under the GVP with effect from January 16. After the adjustment, non-Hong Kong residents will not be allowed to receive any vaccination under the GVP, so as to ensure that Hong Kong residents are given priority in the allocation of vaccines under the GVP and make good use of medical resources.

For non-Hong Kong residents who have received vaccinations under the GVP or have registered for GVP appointments before the implementation date (January 16) and are eligible to stay in Hong Kong, they are required to present their vaccination or appointment records at the time of appointment and at the vaccination site.

Since early January, private medical institutions have been providing self-funded vaccination services for Fibrate bivalent vaccine. Non-Hong Kong residents can receive the vaccination service at their own expense at private doctors, clinics and hospitals in Hong Kong that provide the service.

A spokesman for the SAR Government said, “It has always been the policy objective of the SAR Government to ensure an adequate supply of vaccines to the people of Hong Kong under the Government Vaccination Programme, and the Government has procured sufficient vaccines for the Government Vaccination Programme. The provision of self-financed vaccines by private medical institutions will not affect the supply of vaccines under the Government Vaccination Programme. We would like to emphasize again that non-Hong Kong residents visiting Hong Kong for a short period of time cannot receive free vaccines under the Government Vaccination Programme. Non-Hong Kong residents can visit local private doctors, clinics and hospitals on their own to receive the new crown vaccine at their own cost.”