COVID Vaccination Booking Hong Kong: Updates On COVID Vaccines For Kids And The Vaccine Pass

COVID vaccination bookings in Hong Kong are now open for kids. Little ones as young as six months are eligible for the Sinovac vaccination, while the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is approved for use but waiting on stock. With the Vaccine Pass on the way for all children from 5 years old, Hong Kong vaccination booking for kids has become a hot topic amongst parents.

The last couple of years have been a crash course in medical jargon that we wish we’d never had to bother with. Coronavirus, PPE, particle filtration, face masks, respirators, quarantine, quarantine bubbles, quarantine hotels, PCR tests and mRNA (which at least has a more hopeful ring to it!). 

Amidst the tumult that is Hong Kong’s latest wave of COVID-19, specifically the Omicron variant, news that the Hong Kong government vaccination programme will now include children as young as six months is a huge relief for many.

Other than the priority groups (who are all hopefully in the process of getting their fourth COVID-19 vaccine), vaccinations for our precious children against the Coronavirus are now open. They, too, can now apply for the much-needed shot in the arm – so to speak! Read on to find out how to secure your COVID vaccine booking for children in Hong Kong.

Read more: Hong Kong COVID Tests: PCR Tests, RAT Tests And Community Testing Centres

Editor’s note: This article is intended to present information about the available COVID-19 vaccinations for adults and children in Hong Kong. As with any vaccinations or medical-related advice, always consult your doctor for confirmation and insights that are specific to you and your family before taking any medication.

Latest COVID-19 Restrictions In Hong Kong And The New Vaccine Pass

With the news of the latest COVID-19 related restrictions and social-distancing rules in Hong Kong, including the extension of the requirements for the Vaccine Pass to children from 5 years old, those who had previously not been vaccinated at all are now feeling the pressure to do so. The Vaccine Pass for children will take effect from Friday, 30 September, 2022, but what does that actually involve?

• Starting from Friday, 30 September 2022, children aged 5 to 11 are required to have received at least the first dose of a COVID vaccine within the last three months. If they received their first dose earlier than that, they will need to also have their second.
• Starting from Wednesday, 30 November, 2022, children will need to have received their second dose.
• There is also a change for older kids and adults! From 30 September, everyone from 12 years old will only have five months (instead of six) to have their third COVID vaccine. From 30 November, everyone will be required to have had their third dose of a COVID vaccine to comply.

Read more: The Best Masks For Kids And Adults When Out And About

Does your child need a smartphone to show their Vaccine Pass QR code?

No. Parents have four options to prove their COVID vaccination status and comply with the Vaccine Pass.

1. Present a printed paper record showing the QR code.
2. Show a photo of the QR code, saved on the parent/ caregivers electronic device.
3. Use “My Family Member” in the eHealth mobile app to view and show both yours and your child’s Vaccine Pass.
4. An update to LeaveHomeSafe app will likewise let you show your own and your child’s Vaccine Pass.

Read more: Raising A Child With An Immune Deficiency During COVID-19

Where do you need to show your COVID vaccination status and Vaccine Pass for kids?

Vaccine Passes will be checked in many places, including the following.

• Catering businesses (including family restaurants and popular brunch spots)
• Amusement game centres and party rooms (like indoor playrooms and birthday party venues)
• Places of amusement (like Ocean Park and Disneyland)
• Sports premises and swimming pools (for your kids sports classes, swimming lessons and even Water World)
• Hair and beauty salons (for your child’s next haircut)

Vaccine Passes are required (although may not be checked) at shopping malls, markets and supermarkets. This guide from the Hong Kong Government indicates where the code will be required. while this page contains the latest official Vaccine Pass information.

Your child will still be able to go to school if they are not vaccinated, but there may be restrictions around how long they can attend, meal times and extracurricular classes. You should check in with your child’s school directly.

Read more: Keep Kids Entertained In Quarantine: First-Hand Experience And Tips

COVID-19 Vaccines For Children In Hong Kong

While those aged 5 and above are already able to book a COVID-19 vaccination in Hong Kong, children aged from 6 months to 5 years now also have COVID-19 vaccine options.

Sinovac vaccine for children in Hong Kong:

• Children from as young as 6 months can receive the first Sinovac vaccine. Sinovac vaccine bookings are open now. Make your vaccine booking at either the Community Vaccination Centres or at selected private clinics enrolled in the Vaccination Programme.

BioNTech vaccine for children in Hong Kong:

• BioNTech vaccination bookings for children aged 5 to 17 are now open.
• The BioNTech vaccine is approved for children as young as 6 months, but is not currently available in Hong Kong.

Read more: COVID-19 And Children In Hong Kong: Doctor Q & A

How To Make Your Child’s COVID Vaccine Booking In Hong Kong

Parents or guardians can make COVID vaccine bookings for little ones at the Community Vaccination Centres, special Children’s Community Vaccination Centres, selected Hospital Outpatient Clinics and some private clinics (private clinics can only administer the BioNTech vaccine for kids aged 12+).

Note: The COVID vaccination booking process online might not be as straight forward for some

To complete your vaccination booking, you’ll need your child’s Hong Kong ID card or Hong Kong Birth Certificate. If your children were born overseas, and don’t have a Hong Kong ID card, you can make your vaccine booking in person at a Post Office.

You will need the child’s passport and Hong Kong ID if you have one, a consent letter (the Government consent form can be found here), plus your own ID documents (best to take passports and HKIDs and any other forms of identification with you just in case). It might be a good idea to also take the child’s birth certificate as well. Keep a close eye on the information page for these vaccines.

Read more: The Best Masks For Kids And Adults When Out And About

What to take to your vaccination booking

Parents or legal guardians must accompany the child on the day. According to the Government’s press release, you will need to take your child’s original identity documents on the date of vaccination, it’s probably a good idea to take all of yours as well. If the identity documents don’t have a photo of your child, such as the birth certificate, you can take with you school documents (such as school handbooks) that do have a photo of the child to present at the time of vaccination.

Read more: Expert Advice: How Will Social Distancing Affect My Child?

COVID-19 Vaccine During Pregnancy Or Breastfeeding

Should pregnant or breastfeeding individuals take the COVID-19 vaccines available in Hong Kong? This question was a biggie back in 2020 and lit up all the mum chats! Especially for those who were expecting their baby during that time. Back then, there was a lot of uncertainty but thankfully now the Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have said that pregnant or breastfeeding people can receive the COVID-19 vaccines.

Read the current statement from the Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists for the most recent information and its views.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) does recommend that “COVID-19 vaccines should not be withheld from pregnant individuals,” and that the vaccines “should be offered to lactating individuals similar to non-lactating individuals.”

The UK have also issued statements saying that, “The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has now advised that pregnant women are more at risk of severe COVID-19 disease. They are reminding pregnant women to have their COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. They should not delay vaccination until after they have given birth.” Read the full statement here.

Read more: Pregnancy And Birth During COVID-19 In Hong Kong: Baby’s First Year