This photo shows boxes of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines of Sinovac Biotech, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan 6, 2021. (LU YE / XINHUA)

HONG KONG –  Medical experts advising the Hong Kong government declared that the vaccine developed by Sinovac Biotech against COVID-19 is suitable for healthy people aged over 60.

Lau Yu-lung, chairman of the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases under the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, said the benefits of getting the Sinovac vaccine are far greater than not being vaccinated.

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After reviewing data from phase 1 and 2 clinical trials of the Sinovac vaccine, the committee believed the vaccine is safe for people aged 60 or over and can induce immunity to COVID-19 infections. 

The vaccine’s efficacy on people aged 60 or above is around 50 percent, similar to that on people aged below 60, Lau said, citing data from its phase 3 clinical trial.

Around 400 elderly aged 60 or above were involved in the phase 3 trial, he added.

Lau's remarks came as Hong Kong received its first million doses of COVID-19 vaccine produced by Sinovac on Friday.

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The financial hub will roll out its vaccination program on Feb 26 at five community vaccination centers and the Hospital Authority’s 18 general outpatient clinics.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said Thursday she would receive the Sinovac vaccine.