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Vaccine Pass | Hong Kong University experts advocate change to use only for the elderly because young adults are at low risk of severe illness

2022-05-16T04:19:54.664Z


In recent months, the government has continuously stepped up its efforts to "gut shots", and implemented the third phase of "vaccine passports" as early as the 31st of this month. Citizens must take three shots before they can enter restaurants, shopping malls and other premises. School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong


In recent months, the government has continuously stepped up its efforts to "gut shots", and implemented the third phase of "vaccine passports" as early as the 31st of this month. Citizens must take three shots before they can enter restaurants, shopping malls and other premises.


Kao Benn, Chair Professor of Epidemiology at the School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong, and Chen Deguang, Honorary Assistant Professor of the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, published a commentary in the newspaper today (16th), saying that after the fifth wave of the outbreak, more than half of Hong Kong's population has been infected, enough to build Acting as a "herd immunity barrier", coupled with the limited role of vaccines in preventing infection, and the very low risk of severe illness and death in young adults after infection, there is no scientific basis for "coercive" valley injections for the elderly under 60 years of age, it is recommended The government scrapped the policy of forcing adults under the age of 60 to use vaccine passes, requiring only the elderly to use vaccine passes "with restraint."


▼March 27 Kwun Tong Community Vaccination Service▼


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Kao Benn, Chair Professor of Epidemiology at the School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong, and Chen Deguang, Honorary Assistant Professor of the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, wrote in Ming Pao today that "informed consent" is an important principle of medical law and ethics, and the same principle should be followed in vaccination procedures. , that is, in terms of "vaccine passports", citizens have the right to refuse injections.

They continued that the government can intervene, including restricting and exploiting their personal freedom, and even their right to work and school, only when citizens refuse to be vaccinated and the medical system is on the verge of collapse. "It must be based on strong scientific evidence and in the vital public interest."

▼On April 14, Chief Executive Carrie Lam received the fourth dose of Sinovac vaccine▼


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Hong Kong's vaccination rate was high enough before the fifth wave, but 4 million people are still infected

As for whether the current government has enough scientific data to implement the "vaccine passport"?

The article quoted the School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong, to which Gao Benn belongs, estimated that Hong Kong had reached a high vaccination rate before the start of the fifth wave of the epidemic, but more than 4 million people were still infected. The epidemic has been able to build a "herd immunity barrier".

▼List of vaccine passes▼


The two continued to point out that the risk of severe illness and death among young adults who have not received injections is very low. In addition, the society already has an immune barrier. It is expected that in the future epidemics, only a very small number of young adults will experience severe illness and death. Therefore, they believe that even if There are still some young people who refuse to get injections, or only get one or two injections. It is also difficult to bring down the medical system, and it is difficult to further urge young adults to get injections. The government continues to target young adults through coercive policies, criticizing the vaccine pass for "severely restricting personal freedom and essentially outlawing the principle of "informed consent."

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▼On the first day of the vaccine pass on February 24, citizens can travel with peace of mind in Plaza Hollywood▼


Mandatory use of vaccine passports for the elderly

But should we completely abandon the "vaccine passport"?

The two believe that the epidemic is bound to break out again, and the elderly still bear the highest risk of severe illness and death. Although booster vaccination will not help curb the number of infections, it can prolong the protection and reduce the risk of sequelae of the epidemic. The vaccination rate is still low, describing the mandatory use of vaccine passports for the elderly as "reasonable."

▼May 12 Enclosure inspection of Xihuan Village▼


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▼On May 5, more than 100 people from Wanchai Post Office raised funds to apply for the "Temporary Vaccine Pass"▼


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Compulsory testing|Involved in 41 locations, visiting Kwun Tong "Yu Shan Private Kitchen" after 5 pm on 5:00 p.m. must be tested and confirmed buildings|In a single day, 182 buildings of ten million villas in Stanley, Hai Ming Shan, No. 1 Kai Tak and three apartments were listed on the list. Kwun Tong Industrial Building "Yu Shan Private Kitchen" no one answers the door, there is a chatter at the door, and you can travel with peace of mind

Source: hk1

All news articles on 2022-05-16

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