An inactivated vaccine from mainland Chinese firm Sinovac was one of two types of Covid-19 shots available in Hong Kong at the height of the pandemic. The other option, a vaccine from German firm BioNTech, used mRNA technology.
The government has strongly recommended that unvaccinated residents who prefer to receive inactivated vaccines get their first dose within this month to allow enough time (at least 28 days) before the second dose and before vaccine supplies run out.
Those already vaccinated with the Sinovac vaccine can choose the mRNA vaccine to complete the initial course or as a booster.
COVID-19 vaccines from other manufacturers, such as Moderna from the US and Cansino from mainland China, have already been registered for use in Hong Kong.
In 2021, Malaysia and Thailand announced they would stop using the Sinovac vaccine when supplies ran out.
Following earlier advice from the World Health Organization and two of the center's scientific committees, the government also said it was working with suppliers to procure vaccines against JN.1, the most common variant in the country.
The new vaccines are expected to be available by the end of the year, with new vaccination conditions to be announced later.
The center said the region's COVID-19 case rate has been rising since June and is expected to continue to rise.
“High-risk groups should be vaccinated as soon as possible and receive booster doses at appropriate times,” the center said.
Authorities said the vaccination process for those receiving first doses would be simplified given that most people had already been infected with the virus.
Beginning August 19, residents aged five years and older who have received one mRNA shot or two shots of the inactivated vaccine will be considered to have completed the primary COVID-19 vaccination series, regardless of their history of coronavirus infection.
Children aged six months to four years who have previously been infected with COVID-19 will need one or two injections of the mRNA-inactivated vaccine to be considered fully vaccinated.
People in this age group who have not been previously infected should receive two or three doses as recommended by the vaccine manufacturers.
The conditions for revaccination will remain the same, and eligible high-risk individuals will continue to receive free vaccinations at least six months after their last vaccination or COVID-19 infection, regardless of the number of doses previously received.
These groups include adults aged 50 years and older, people aged 18 to 49 years with underlying medical conditions, children aged six months and older with immunocompromised conditions, pregnant women and health care workers.
From 9am on 19 August, updated vaccination regulations will apply to the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme booking system. Those eligible can book vaccinations at vaccination sites via the online booking system.
People who booked their initial vaccination appointments before August 19 can still get their shots on their scheduled day and will not be affected by the new rules.