(Fighting New Coronary Pneumonia) Fosun Pharma/BioNTech New Coronary Vaccine is approved by Hong Kong Food and Health Bureau for emergency use

  China News Service, Hong Kong, January 25. The Director of the Food and Health Bureau (Food Sanitation Bureau) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government approved on the 25th in accordance with the Prevention and Control of Diseases (Use of Vaccines) Regulations (Chapter 599K) (the Regulations) Fosun Pharma/German pharmaceutical company BioNTech's new crown vaccine is used for emergency use in Hong Kong.

The production process of the first batch of about 1 million doses of vaccines to be supplied to Hong Kong has been completed and is expected to arrive in Hong Kong in late February.

  According to the "Regulations", the Secretary for Food and Health may, after referring to the opinions of the COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Expert Committee (Advisory Expert Committee), approve the use of the new crown vaccine in Hong Kong in emergency situations that meets the safety, efficacy and quality requirements.

The advisory expert committee has submitted a proposal to the Director of the Food and Health Bureau, and believes that under the current epidemic situation, the use of Fosun Pharma/German pharmaceutical company BioNTech's new crown vaccine as a prevention of new crown pneumonia has more benefits than risks.

  After referring to the advice of the advisory expert committee and considering the threat posed to public health by the new crown pneumonia, the Secretary for Food and Sanitation considered that the recognition is necessary and in the public interest, and has exercised the powers conferred by Article 3 of the Regulations and approved the resumption The new crown vaccine of Star Pharma/German pharmaceutical company BioNTech is used for specified purpose in Hong Kong.

The approval will take effect on January 25.

  In order to ensure the continued safety, effectiveness and quality assurance of the relevant vaccines, the Director of Food and Health Bureau has attached conditions to the above recognition, including requiring applicants to continue to submit the latest clinical data of the relevant vaccines, safety update reports, and quality certificates for each batch of vaccines produced by the pharmaceutical factory Files etc.

  According to the information provided by vaccine suppliers, the first batch of about 1 million doses of Fosun Pharma/German BioNTech vaccines to be supplied to Hong Kong have completed the production process and are undergoing safety and quality testing.

Subject to the successful completion and passing of the test, the vaccine is expected to be delivered to Hong Kong from Germany in late February.

The SAR government will start the territory-wide vaccination plan led by the SAR government as soon as possible after receiving the relevant vaccines and completing the necessary quality inspection procedures.

  A spokesperson for the SAR government reiterated that the authorities will ensure that the vaccine meets the requirements for safety, efficacy and quality, and strictly approve the vaccine for emergency use in accordance with the relevant requirements and procedures of the Regulations before arranging for the public to be vaccinated.

In order to strengthen public confidence in vaccines, the SAR government’s vaccination work will continue to be based on scientific evidence and the principles of openness and transparency. At the same time, it will continue to monitor the use of vaccines.

(Finish)