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The privilege of COVID-19 vaccine wastage - Hong Kong
Joshua Yeuk Shun Tran1, Phoebe Chi Fei Chan2, Samuel Yeung-Shan Wong3
1Faculty of Medicine The Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR China.
Insights
Hong Kong faced suboptimal COVID-19 vaccine uptake despite ample supply, leading to significant vaccine wastage. Addressing public hesitancy and logistical issues is crucial to prevent future waste.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Hong Kong experienced diverse COVID-19 impacts, from strict restrictions to high caseloads.
- Despite privileged access to vaccines, uptake remained below 55% six months post-introduction.
- Factors like perceived risks, distrust, and logistical challenges contributed to vaccine hesitancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the causes of suboptimal COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Hong Kong.
- To investigate the extent and reasons for vaccine wastage.
- To recommend strategies for improving vaccine uptake and management.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of vaccine procurement and uptake data.
- Review of factors influencing public vaccine hesitancy.
- Assessment of logistical challenges and vaccine wastage.
Main Results:
- Less than 55% of Hong Kong's population vaccinated within six months.
- Significant vaccine wastage, potentially up to 2 million doses, due to hesitancy and logistical issues.
- Vaccine nationalism identified as a contributing factor to inequity and wastage.
Conclusions:
- Urgent interventions are needed to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Hong Kong.
- Improved logistical management is essential to prevent substantial vaccine wastage.
- Addressing vaccine inequity and promoting uptake are critical for public health resilience.
Abstract:
COVID-19 and its effects continue to ripple through Hong Kong. From strict social restrictions to loosening travel restrictions, from high death rates to high caseloads, and from low vaccine uptake to high vaccine uptake, Hong Kong has experienced the spectrum of COVID-19. Hong Kong being in a position of privilege was able to procure at least three doses per person soon after vaccines became available. However, the public's response to the vaccines was suboptimal, with less than 55% of the population being vaccinated 6 months after the introduction of the vaccines. Though the government tried to encourage active vaccine uptake, various factors, such as perceived barriers, risks, and general distrust, contributed to the hesitancy experienced by the population. Logistical factors such as open and closed vial wastage may also contribute to vaccine waste. This may have led to massive vaccine waste of up to 2 million doses and more uncertainty with how to manage with to-be-delivered vaccines. Vaccine nationalism opened the doors to potential wastage, a symptom of vaccine inequity. Urgent action is needed to address uptake hesitancy and potential suboptimal logistical management to prevent further vaccine wastage.
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