COVID-19 Vaccination Program Updates: New Booster and LP.8.1 Vaccine Available from March 1

Latest COVID-19 vaccination arrangements announced

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (February 24) that starting from March 1, the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will administer booster to eligible persons according to the updated recommendations for high-risk priority groups. Additionally, from the same date, the Government will offer LP.8.1 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (LP.8.1 vaccine) to eligible persons aged 12 or above, replacing the JN.1 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (JN.1 vaccine) currently in use. The CHP urged members of the public who have not completed the initial dose(s) of the COVID-19 vaccine (including infants and children) to get vaccinated promptly. Those at high risk should receive a booster dose as soon as possible to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.

High-risk priority groups

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The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (JSC) under the CHP earlier discussed and updated the booster vaccination recommendation for high-risk priority groups in 2026. Starting from March 1, the Government will offer COVID-19 vaccine to relevant high-risk priority groups based on the recommendations, including:

• residents of residential care homes for the elderly;

• elderly persons aged 65 years or above who are living in the community;

• persons aged 50 to 64 years with underlying comorbidities;

• persons with immunocompromising conditions aged sixmonths or above; and

• pregnant women.

In addition, the JSC encouraged healthcare workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for their personal protection. Hence, the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will continue to provide free COVID-19 vaccine for healthcare workers.

Those who do not belong to the high-risk priority groups recommended for booster vaccination (such as individuals aged 18 to 49 with chronic illnesses and healthy individuals aged 50 to 64) and would like to receive a booster dose may consult their family doctor about registered COVID-19 vaccines available in the private market, and consider to receive vaccination at their own expense for personal protection.

Choice of COVID-19 vaccine

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In light of the JSC's earlier recommendation to choose either the JN.1 vaccine or the LP.8.1 vaccine, the Government has provided LP.8.1 vaccines to infants and children aged six months to 11 years since December last year. The Government has now procured Spikevax LP.8.1 vaccines for individuals aged 12 and above, and vaccinations for eligible individuals will begin on March 1. The Government will continue to help elderly people aged 60 or above living in the community make online appointments for COVID-19 vaccination. More information can be found in an earlier press release.

Potential upsurge in COVID-19 activity is expected in coming months

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Although COVID-19 activity currently remains at a low level, there are generally periodic upsurges in the COVID-19 activity level approximately every six to nine months. As it has been over seven months since the end of last periodic upsurge of COVID-19 activity, there may be another periodic upsurge in Hong Kong in the next few months. Members of the public should receive a COVID-19 vaccine in a timely manner to reduce the risk of serious illness and death due to COVID-19. Under the current Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, individuals aged six months or above are eligible for free initial vaccine doses. Priority groups can receive booster doses for free at least six months after the last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later), regardless of the number of doses received previously.

When members of the public receive the COVID-19 vaccine, if they have not yet received the seasonal influenza vaccine, they can check with vaccination venues for arrangements for influenza vaccination. According to scientific evidence, COVID-19 vaccines and seasonal influenza vaccines can be administered at the same time to provide dual protection.

Members of the public may visit the CHP's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and Seasonal Influenza Vaccination webpage for more details.

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Hong Kong Customs detects case of non-registered precious metals and stones dealer carrying out specified transactions

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 21) detected a case involving a local company that conducted transactions of diamonds valued at over HK$120,000, without registration under the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime. An investigation is ongoing.

According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), unless exempted, any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with Hong Kong Customs. Any dealer, other than a registrant, who claims to be a registrant, claims to be authorised to carry out, or carries out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 is liable to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

Customs reminds dealers in precious metals and stones that they must obtain the relevant registration before they can carry out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000.

For the forms, procedures and guidelines to submit applications for registration, please visit the website for Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Registration System (www.drs.customs.gov.hk) or Customs' webpage (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/anti-money-laundering/supervision-of-dealers-in-precious-metals-and-ston/index.html).

Members of the public may report any suspected transactions involving precious metals and stones with a total value at or above HK$120,000 conducted without the required registration to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

Source: AI-found images