Whenever there is a big storm coming, there are always constant update announcements on live broadcast programs, such as the suspension of bus service, ferry service, schools and so on. In an effort to increase the vaccination rates, the government has called on various enterprises and organizations to join in the effort to encourage the public to get their jabs. Every once in a while, we hear about new initiatives from major corporations: real estate developers are giving away flats; banks are offering preferential interest rates; institutions and schools are offering vacation days to get the shots, and some companies are not only following suit, but also “raising your two-days” by giving three days off for one shot. The performance of all these efforts can be an important element of the “affirmative patriotic checklist.”

The SAR government keeps emphasizing that the low vaccination rate in Hong Kong is very worrying. However, high and low are relative, such that Hong Kong is naturally low when you compare it with the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe. In terms of the proportion of the total population who have received the first dose of vaccine, the UK and Canada is 58%, while Germany, France, Italy and other countries are around 40%. Yet bear in mind that they have many incentives to do so given the seriousness of their outbreaks, the number of deaths, and the risk of infection are far greater than the risk of side effects of the vaccines, coupled with their desires to go traveling for the summer, mask-free.

Hong Kong only has a vaccination rate of about 20%, which is not bad compared to the neighboring countries. In terms of the first dose of inoculation rate, among the neighboring regions, Singapore has the highest rate of nearly 40%, Australia is 15%, Korea is about 12%, and Japan, Thailand and the Philippines are less than 10%, while Taiwan and Vietnam are as low as 1% to 2%. The immunization rate in Hong Kong is also slightly higher than that in Macau. In mainland China, nearly 700 million doses have been administered so far, and although no official figures have been provided for the first dose, it is estimated to be over 30%.

The author has already gotten the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. In the coming future, vaccination will be indispensable whether traveling to visit relatives or for business. All countries have turned vaccination into a new age competition. As we all know, whoever achieves herd immunity first and reduces the plague into a bad cold will be the first to revive and lead the others.

The SAR government is indeed in a difficult position. Despite having an ample supply of vaccines, it cannot meet its political mandate, so it is naturally in distress. There are many reasons for this.

The foremost issue is Carrie Lam, Carrie Lam and Carrie Lam. There is no convincing power in a chief executive who is rated zero by 40% of the population, coupled with the scowl on her face, she is doomed to fail, and any scientific explanation can only produce half the result with twice the effort.

Has it become too politicized? The government’s hysterical crackdown on the June 4 vigil by means of the gathering restriction order is plain as day. Senior government officials also opened the door to politicization by putting on a show of getting the Sinovac Biotech vaccine. Who can they blame for the process being politicized?

It appears that there is a discrepancy in the data from the very beginning of the campaign to promote immunization. It is said that China’s Sinovac Biotech COVID-19 vaccine is more suitable for the elderly, but in developed countries, the BioNTech vaccine has been widely administered to patients with long-term illnesses, proving to be safe with good response, as endorsed by Ho Pak-leung. In Hong Kong, according to Hung Fan Ngai, there are, in fact, more cases of paralysis with Sinovac than with BioNTech, though this is not specified by Sinovac.

Hong Kong people value protocols and their health (or perhaps they are just terrified of death), hence they are probably the most self-disciplined bunch in the world when it comes to mask-wearing and social distancing. Given the epidemic in the city is not severe, people are inherently unmotivated to go for vaccination. As a matter of fact, incentives should have been offered in the very beginning, plus a clear roadmap towards a return to normal life, so that people can have a glimpse of the big picture. It is a luxury to ask for such a governing team.

(Allan Au Ka-lun, veteran journalist)

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