HONG KONG - The Hong Kong government stressed that it has a robust pharmacovigilance system in place that will help it closely follow up adverse reactions, if any, to vaccines once administered.

In a press release issued late Thursday, the government also said it is reviewing international practices while assessing legal liability for the emergency use of COVID-19 vaccines. At the same time, it made it clear that the move does not mean that the drug manufacturer will be immune from responsibilities, including quality assurance.

Hong Kong’s first batch of 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be shipped to the city next month. Health workers, care home workers and senior citizens will be among the first to be vaccinated

“With regards to the possible adverse effect following immunisation of COVID-19 vaccines, the Department of Health will conduct monitoring based on the relevant requirements under the proposed emergency legislation for use of COVID-19 vaccines and make reference to the prevailing mechanism, while maintaining the same level of vigilance for control,” reads the press release.

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The HK government is also working to introduce a legal framework that will empower the health chief to allow vaccination in the city after shots have been deemed as safe and effective by one drug regulatory authority, objective medical data and independent expert views.

Hong Kong’s first batch of 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be shipped to the city next month, followed by a second batch of 1 million shots to arrive no later than the first quarter of 2021. Health workers, care home workers and senior citizens will be among the first to be vaccinated.

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In another development on Thursday, Food and Health Bureau officials met representatives of testing agencies enlisted to operate the city’s 18 community testing centers. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor also attended a part of the meeting and thanked the testing personnel.

With the help of those testing agencies, the government also set up 17 mobile specimen collection stations or specimen bottle distribution points between Nov 23 and Dec 15. More than 103,000 people availed of the services and 112 samples returned positive results.