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Sunday, August 23, 2020, 16:55
HK govt to reserve funds to procure virus vaccine in late-Aug
By Eleanor Huang in Hong Kong
Sunday, August 23, 2020, 16:55 By Eleanor Huang in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong government will reserve funds to purchase coronavirus vaccine at the end of this month, Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee told a local radio program Saturday. 

Last Friday, Chan revealed at a press conference that the government has participated in an international vaccine distribution program – COVAX Global Vaccine Facility – to secure vaccine supplies for about 20 percent of the city’s 7.5 million residents. 

READ MORE: HK prepares for citywide virus testing 

Under the program, the vaccines are expected to arrive in Hong Kong by the end of 2021. The government needs to pay 15 percent of deposit by mid-September, according to a government document which the Legislative Council’s House Committee will discuss during a special meeting this Friday.  

According to the document, 29 kinds of vaccine are under clinical trials and six of them had entered phase-three – the final testing stage before they could be made available for use.  

The price per dose of vaccine has yet to be determined and the total cost for joining the program is still not known, according to the document. 

The document will be used for reference at the Legislative Council’s special anti-pandemic meeting on Friday afternoon. 

ALSO READ: WHO: 'Supply nationalism' worsens COVID-19 pandemic 

The vaccine purchase program was formulated by a coalition of international health organizations including the World Health Organization, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). 

Chan said during Friday’s press briefing that the SAR government, apart from participating in program, was simultaneously looking at various pharmaceutical companies worldwide to procure vaccines and seeking the central government’s help as well. 

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