Vaccine hesitation threatens global health CUHK professors advocating all injections to avoid wearing masks outdoors

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Written by: Li Enci

2021-06-19 13:38

Last update date: 2021-06-19 13:39

As of yesterday, 1.248 million people in Hong Kong have received the second dose of the new crown vaccine, which is less than 20% of the population.

Guo Jian’an, assistant professor of the School of Public Health and Primary Medical Care of CUHK, said in an online lecture on “Vaccine Hesitation” of the Regeneration Society this (19th) morning that the number of mutant virus cases in neighboring areas has increased sharply, and Hong Kong will face a situation similar to Taiwan’s loss of defense. Be prepared for widespread vaccination.

To encourage citizens to get injections, he suggested that the government set up free consultations with public doctors, or subsidize citizens to consult family doctors, and relax epidemic prevention measures for citizens who have completed the vaccination, such as allowing citizens who have been injected to take off their masks in some outdoor places.

▼Hong Kong government's new strategy for "Grain Needle": Benefits of already vaccinated vs. Restriction of not vaccinated ▼

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Guo Jian’an, assistant professor at the School of Public Health and Primary Care at CUHK, said that currently about 21% of the world’s population has been vaccinated with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. On average, one person can infect three people with COVID-19. The basic threshold for herd immunity is 67% to 70% of the population vaccinated. Vaccines, but variant viruses have slightly raised the threshold.

He said that "vaccine hesitation" means that when the supply of vaccines is sufficient, the citizens still delay or refuse vaccination. The WHO has listed it as one of the top ten global health threats in 2019.

He explained that the reasons behind vaccine hesitation are quite complex, including confidence in the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, belief that the epidemic will have little impact on themselves, convenience, social demographic environment, weighing pros and cons, and social responsibility perspectives.

Guo Jian'an and his team conducted a survey of their intention to vaccinate the new crown vaccine last year and found that more Hong Kong people tend to "be in the middle", with a ratio of 30 to 40%, and they may not be willing to take a step forward.

(Screenshot of Rebirth Meeting Facebook)

People over 55 years of age have a particularly low willingness to vaccinate

Guo Jian'an and his team conducted a survey of their intention to vaccinate the new crown vaccine last year and found that more Hong Kong people tend to "be in the middle", with a ratio of 30 to 40%, and they may not be willing to take a step forward.

People over 55 years of age have a particularly low willingness to vaccinate, which has been maintained at around 30%.

He believes that citizens' ratings of government policies are not satisfactory, such as loopholes in the third wave of imported seafarers, dissatisfaction with the food at the Penny's Bay Quarantine Center, etc., making it difficult for the government to encourage vaccination against the new crown.

In addition, the proportion of the infected population in Hong Kong is low, and the zero diagnosis has been maintained for many days. The public is in a relaxed mood and it is inevitable that the need for injections has diminished.

Guo Jian'an said that there has been a surge in cases of the mutant virus in neighboring areas recently, and he believes that Hong Kong will face a threat of loss similar to Taiwan.

He pointed out that the injection is to prepare for future outbreaks. "Unless everyone is safe, no one is safe."

Guo Jianan believes that the government can adjust the isolation requirements for inbound passengers in due course to let the public know which places have the opportunity to switch travel.

(Information Picture/Photographed by Lu Yiming)

▼On May 31st, the government announced the ``City-wide Kickstart Vaccine Campaign'' ▼

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Invite citizens' favorite singers to take the lead in injections

Guo Jianan made several suggestions to encourage citizens to get vaccinated.

He suggested that the government increase citizens' chances of vaccination, including holding more schools and institutions outreach, increasing vaccination points, etc., and set up free public doctor consultation, or subsidize citizens to consult family doctors to let them know whether they are suitable for injections.

He also said that the authorities can invite community leaders or youth ambassadors, such as singers preferred by the public, to take the lead.

In addition, he believes that the government can adjust the quarantine requirements for inbound tourists in due course to let the public know which places have the opportunity to switch travel. He also suggested that the Hong Kong government can relax epidemic prevention measures for citizens who have completed the vaccination, such as referring to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to lift the "mask order" , Consider approving people who have been injected with masks to be exempted from wearing masks in some outdoor places.

He pointed out that the health authorities must be objective, fair, and rebuild public confidence in vaccines through the disclosure of vaccine information.

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