Hong Kong wary of Chinese vaccine’s low efficacy rate

[Hamartia Antidote]

HK wary of Chinese vaccine's low efficacy rate - Asia Times

Hong Kong’s medical experts and health officials will hold a meeting to review the clinical data of the vaccine manufactured by mainland company Sinovac

asiatimes.com

A production line for the Sinovac vaccine. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong’s medical experts and health officials will hold a meeting to review the clinical data of the vaccine manufactured by mainland company Sinovac to see if it is suitable for use in the city.

Citing results obtained in late-stage clinical trials in Brazil, Sinovac said Wednesday that its coronavirus vaccine, named CoronaVac, had an efficacy rate of 50.38% for very mild cases, which was slightly higher than the World Health Organisation’s minimum requirement of 50%.

It said the efficacy rate reached 77.96% for more serious cases, while that for severe cases was 100%.

The 50.38% efficacy rate was relatively low, but more information about the groups tested was needed to determine whether the Sinovac vaccine was suitable for use in Hong Kong, said David Hui Shu-cheong, chairman of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

“We are not certain what these figures are talking about. There are multiple levels of efficacy,” said Leung Chi-chiu, chairman of the Medical Association’s advisory committee. “We need to look at the full data set before we can have a better guess of the actual situation and compare the efficacy between different vaccines.”


“The 50.38% efficacy rate includes patients with mild symptoms and those asymptomatic carriers. So whether the asymptomatic carriers bring down the figures, we don’t know at this point,” said Joseph Tsang, an infectious disease specialist from Hong Kong Medical Association. “We have to get more data from Sinovac in order to interpret as a whole.”

Tsang said he hoped to see more data collected from other countries that have used Sinovac vaccines, rather than only Brazil.

Fears for the elderly
William Chui, the President of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists, said the government should not let elderly people in Hong Kong receive the Sinovac vaccine due to its relatively low efficacy.

“For the elderly, especially those who stay in homes for the elderly, their immune system is not so strong. They may not produce 50% efficacy or even lower,” Chui said. “We advise the government to review the data … There are a lot of choices, at least two – one is AstraZeneca, one is the BioNTech vaccine.”

Chui suggested the elderly receive the BioNTech vaccine, while young and healthy people, who have stronger immune systems, use the Sinovac vaccines instead.

On December 30, the government’s Advisory Panel on Covid-19 Vaccines, chaired by convenor Wallace Lau Chak-sing, the President of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, held its first meeting.

The panel was set up in accordance with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Use of Vaccines) Regulation (Cap. 599K), which provides the legal framework for bringing in Covid-19 vaccines that satisfy the criteria of safety, efficacy and quality for emergency use under the present state of a public health emergency.

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Patrick Nip, one of the officials in charge of the vaccination program to be rolled out in Hong Kong, said the panel would meet soon to review relevant clinical data.

It is expected that Hong Kong people will start receiving vaccinations in mid-February, with shots produced by Sinovac being the first to arrive in the city.

According to a survey by the Faculty of Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the overall Covid-19 vaccine acceptance rate for Hong Kong adults was 37%, which is far lower than 70-90%, the level required to achieve herd immunity.

Informed choices
“We think this is rather low and it is well below what we would like to see, which is 70% for some substantial effect on our campaign to fight against Covid,” said Paul Chan, the chairman of the university’s department of microbiology.

“The side effects and the inconvenience perceived by the public are equally strong barriers, and then for the drivers, we find that people really want to understand the severity, the outcome to themselves before they take the vaccine,” Chan added.

Chan urged the government to do more to clear up misunderstandings over coronavirus vaccines to help people make an informed choice. He also suggested that the government could roll out incentives such as issuing vaccination certificates.

The Center for Health Protection said a total of 29 cases, including three imported ones and 29 local infections, were recorded on Wednesday. Of the local cases, 13 had no known source.

One more confirmed infection and a preliminary positive case were reported from the block on 20-26 Reclamation Street in Jordan before residents were evacuated. A total of 27 residents there have contracted the virus so far. New cases were also reported from another block 100 meters away.


“We notice that the pipes of the subdivided flats may not be up to standard. So taking all the factors into consideration, we think that moving the residents to a hotel or a quarantine center may be a safer and quicker way to stop the spread in those buildings,” Chuang Shuk-kwan from the Centre for Health Protection said in a media briefing.

Over the past two weeks, more than 80 Covid cases had been reported in Yau Tsim Mong district, Chuang said, adding that some of the infected were Nepalese who worked at construction sites hit by Covid-19 outbreaks recently. These workers could have spread the virus to their families and friends in the ethnic minority community, she said.

Domestic worker gatherings
Among the imported cases, a 29-year-old Filipino domestic worker was found to be infected. She arrived in Hong Kong on December 24 and moved to her employer’s home at Lai Sum House, Lai Tsui Court in Cheung Sha Wan on January 7. But she then developed a cough and fever and was sent to a hospital. She tested positive on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Law Chi-kwong, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, in a written statement rejected suggestions made by lawmaker Elizabeth Quat, who urged the government to forbid foreign domestic workers from gathering in public places during their days off due to public health reasons.

“As regards whether to prohibit domestic workers from gathering in public places, this suggestion itself is quite controversial, and the legislative amendments or mandatory measures involved may even touch upon discrimination issues,” Law said.

The local infection rate of domestic workers was 0.055%, lower than the 0.1% of Hong Kong residents, Law said. It would be unreasonable and unfair to prohibit domestic workers from going out on their days off, he said.

Between December 11 and January 3, a total of 60 fixed penalty notices were issued to domestic workers in public areas in relation to mask and social distancing rules.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Opinion | Hong Kong needs team effort to lift public trust in vaccines

While well-intended, paying people to get the Covid-19 vaccine is risky and sends the message that the civic duty to protect oneself and others is up for sale. Overcoming public uncertainty requires a huge effort to explain the science, clarify information that can be misinterpreted and debunk...

www.scmp.com

Hong Kong fourth wave: government needs team effort to lift public trust in vaccines

While the Hong Kong government has procured
enough Covid-19 vaccines for the entire city and, according to Health Secretary Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee, it aims to vaccinate most of the population within 2021, that goal to inoculate Hongkongers is going to be extremely challenging.

The Chinese University medical school interviewed residents last summer and found fewer than 40 per cent of Hong kongers were willing to take a Covid-19 vaccine shot. That low figure of acceptance is shocking, even after considering that the survey was conducted before more information on the vaccines’ clinical trial results was released.

Now with experts at the World Health Organization saying we are unlikely to achieve herd immunity in 2021, even with all the vaccine roll-outs, that is more reason for residents to adopt a “wait and see” approach.

The headwinds our government is fighting are not to be taken lightly. First of all, the government is trying to pull off something that requires a healthy level of public faith and confidence in the government, and that is not something this government enjoys.

Perhaps that is why some lawmakers have floated the idea of offering a cash incentive for all who volunteer to get the jab. While well-intended, this quick-fix solution will not work. People would inevitably wonder why getting a shot that is supposedly good for them and everyone else would require such a monetary incentive. Putting a price on the civic duty to protect oneself from the disease and from infecting others is risky and sends the wrong message.

Civic duties are not for sale. What we need now, more than ever, are appeals for people to get vaccinated for altruistic reasons.

Offering cash incentives for getting the vaccine would inevitably raise our “that’s too good to be true, so what’s the catch?” flag. That would be enough to push people into embracing all sorts of
misinformation on the vaccines that is already rampant online and continues to spread through social media.

Misinformation on the disease itself has already caused a lot of confusion and damage around the world. There are still people who are adamant that Covid-19 is a hoax, buying into conspiracy theories that it is a way for governments to oppress and control. Misinformation on cures have caused serious and permanent harm.

It certainly does not help that vaccines are a complex subjects to explain to the public. They really are extraordinary feats and the result of incredible efforts by the medical science and research communities to be able to have several ready to roll out in such a short period of time. The complexities lie in the uncertainties over the side effects and effectiveness of these vaccines.

These uncertainties can only be reduced by more testing and investigation. The results can just as easily hamper confidence in the vaccination as they can boost it. It requires a colossal effort to explain the science to the public, to clarify confusion and debunk misinformation.

Efficacy rates of the different vaccines ready for distribution have been hitting newspaper headlines, and even how they are determined have been under scrutiny. It probably does not rest well with a lot of us that even this is a messy affair.

We are not just talking about the different efficacy rates reported on the Chinese vaccine. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine
has an overall efficacy of 70.4 per cent. As of now, scientists are still uncertain whether the dosage and timing of the two shots can affect its efficacy, but it does not require the ultra-cold temperature storage and transport that the other two major vaccine candidates require.

All of the Hong Kong government’s efforts need to be put into the logistics of the vaccination programme as well as explaining these complexities to address concerns and stop misinterpretation. It will take the entire government acting as a team to make this happen.

Civil Service Minister Patrick Nip Tak-kuen,
who recently spoke on safety procedures the vaccines will undergo, has taken an increasingly visible role. That is good news, but it is not enough. Others ministers have to step up.

 

[Beast]

Asiatimes? The news media from India?

This article is as good as the recent one of pompeo claim Iran host al-qaeda who is known to be sunni extremist.

 

[shi12jun]

Fake news fabricated by anti-Chinese media

 

[AViet]

Opinion | Hong Kong needs team effort to lift public trust in vaccines

While well-intended, paying people to get the Covid-19 vaccine is risky and sends the message that the civic duty to protect oneself and others is up for sale. Overcoming public uncertainty requires a huge effort to explain the science, clarify information that can be misinterpreted and debunk...

www.scmp.com

Hong Kong fourth wave: government needs team effort to lift public trust in vaccines

While the Hong Kong government has procured
enough Covid-19 vaccines for the entire city and, according to Health Secretary Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee, it aims to vaccinate most of the population within 2021, that goal to inoculate Hongkongers is going to be extremely challenging.

The Chinese University medical school interviewed residents last summer and found fewer than 40 per cent of Hong kongers were willing to take a Covid-19 vaccine shot. That low figure of acceptance is shocking, even after considering that the survey was conducted before more information on the vaccines’ clinical trial results was released.

Now with experts at the World Health Organization saying we are unlikely to achieve herd immunity in 2021, even with all the vaccine roll-outs, that is more reason for residents to adopt a “wait and see” approach.

The headwinds our government is fighting are not to be taken lightly. First of all, the government is trying to pull off something that requires a healthy level of public faith and confidence in the government, and that is not something this government enjoys.

Perhaps that is why some lawmakers have floated the idea of offering a cash incentive for all who volunteer to get the jab. While well-intended, this quick-fix solution will not work. People would inevitably wonder why getting a shot that is supposedly good for them and everyone else would require such a monetary incentive. Putting a price on the civic duty to protect oneself from the disease and from infecting others is risky and sends the wrong message.

Civic duties are not for sale. What we need now, more than ever, are appeals for people to get vaccinated for altruistic reasons.

Offering cash incentives for getting the vaccine would inevitably raise our “that’s too good to be true, so what’s the catch?” flag. That would be enough to push people into embracing all sorts of
misinformation on the vaccines that is already rampant online and continues to spread through social media.

Misinformation on the disease itself has already caused a lot of confusion and damage around the world. There are still people who are adamant that Covid-19 is a hoax, buying into conspiracy theories that it is a way for governments to oppress and control. Misinformation on cures have caused serious and permanent harm.

It certainly does not help that vaccines are a complex subjects to explain to the public. They really are extraordinary feats and the result of incredible efforts by the medical science and research communities to be able to have several ready to roll out in such a short period of time. The complexities lie in the uncertainties over the side effects and effectiveness of these vaccines.

These uncertainties can only be reduced by more testing and investigation. The results can just as easily hamper confidence in the vaccination as they can boost it. It requires a colossal effort to explain the science to the public, to clarify confusion and debunk misinformation.

Efficacy rates of the different vaccines ready for distribution have been hitting newspaper headlines, and even how they are determined have been under scrutiny. It probably does not rest well with a lot of us that even this is a messy affair.

We are not just talking about the different efficacy rates reported on the Chinese vaccine. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine
has an overall efficacy of 70.4 per cent. As of now, scientists are still uncertain whether the dosage and timing of the two shots can affect its efficacy, but it does not require the ultra-cold temperature storage and transport that the other two major vaccine candidates require.

All of the Hong Kong government’s efforts need to be put into the logistics of the vaccination programme as well as explaining these complexities to address concerns and stop misinterpretation. It will take the entire government acting as a team to make this happen.

Civil Service Minister Patrick Nip Tak-kuen,
who recently spoke on safety procedures the vaccines will undergo, has taken an increasingly visible role. That is good news, but it is not enough. Others ministers have to step up.

Low efficiency or not, we do not know (and may never know). It depends a lot on methodology of collecting data and calculation. In addition, myseIf (and many people nowadays, even if they do not like China) do not trust Western data anymore, especially data related to China, as most have been politicized. And anyone who have some basic knowledge about science can doubt about 92 - 95% efficiency which Pfizer told about their vaccine, after just 1 - 2 months of trials.

AFAIK, Chinese vaccines have not killed anyone. In the meantime, Pfizer vaccine have killed:

1. At least 10 patients in Germany
2. At least 29 patients in Norway.
3. At least 245 people in Israel.

You (and your so-called scientists) can say that these deaths were not directly caused by the vaccine. But few people would dare to continue to use it (including you and your family perhaps) after these terrible deaths, unless they have no other choices.

 

[Menthol]

It's not only HKers who are wary.

Me too!


There's no 100% solution for this.

Sinovac is the safest but not the best.

mRNA vaccine is probably the best right now, but not the safest.


So confusing...


But to be honest, this article is just one side of the story.

My dilemma between traditional vs mRNA vaccine is not just happened to me alone, but all people around the world, as well as HKers.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Low efficiency or not, we do not know (and may never know). It depends a lot on methodology of collecting data and calculation. In addition, myseIf (and many people nowadays, even if they do not like China) do not trust Western data anymore, especially data related to China, as most have been politicized. And anyone who have some basic knowledge about science can doubt about 92 - 95% efficiency which Pfizer told about their vaccine, after just 1 - 2 months of trials.

AFAIK, Chinese vaccines have not killed anyone. In the meantime, Pfizer vaccine have killed:

1. At least 10 patients in Germany
2. At least 29 patients in Norway.
3. At least 245 people in Israel.

You (and your so-called scientists) can say that these deaths were not directly caused by the vaccine. But few people would dare to continue to use it (including you and your family perhaps) after these terrible deaths, unless they have no other choices.

It doesn't matter what you and I think or how well western vaccines have done. The topic is the Hong Kong people and their distrust of vaccines in general. This is only exacerbated by their distrust of mainland Chinese...and especially their medicine efficacy. So now you have two factors at play.

If they were just using western vaccines there still would be a higher than expected hesitancy...but not as high as towards the Chinese one.

 

[jamal18]

Low efficiency or not, we do not know (and may never know). It depends a lot on methodology of collecting data and calculation. In addition, myseIf (and many people nowadays, even if they do not like China) do not trust Western data anymore, especially data related to China, as most have been politicized. And anyone who have some basic knowledge about science can doubt about 92 - 95% efficiency which Pfizer told about their vaccine, after just 1 - 2 months of trials.

AFAIK, Chinese vaccines have not killed anyone. In the meantime, Pfizer vaccine have killed:

1. At least 10 patients in Germany
2. At least 29 patients in Norway.
3. At least 245 people in Israel.

You (and your so-called scientists) can say that these deaths were not directly caused by the vaccine. But few people would dare to continue to use it (including you and your family perhaps) after these terrible deaths, unless they have no other choices.

I'm no fan of vaccines, and feel that the current crisis is exagerated. However, if you must take a vaccine go for the 'traditiona' vaccines from Russia or China, rather than the mRNA vaccines from Moderns or Pfizer.

 

[masterchief_mirza]

@Hamartia Antidote

Seriously, you're bringing this website into disrepute by CONSTANTLY peddling this false narrative that only Sinovac suffers from poor efficacy against asymptomatic cases.

Here is what the Lancet (not these two bit opinion columns you're passing off as science) says about the Oxford/Astrazen vaccine against asymptomatic cases:

"Although efficacy was lower (58·9% [1·0 to 82·9]) against asymptomatic infection in the LD/SD cohort"

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32623-4/fulltext

N.b. LD/SD refers to the standard dosing regimen for this particular vaccine that is being administered globally.

In other words, if you get the Oxford vaccine and I get the Sinovac, we're similarly at risk of asymptomatic infections (a few percentage points difference).

If I remember correctly, I showed you similar data on Pfizer on the other thread you opened, and I also explained to you that any data from Brazil is compromised due to the emergence of the Brazil variant virus, which has an as yet unquantified impact on vaccine efficacy.

Seriously, there is a limit to this blind trolling just to serve an agenda.

 

[masterchief_mirza]

*regarding Pfizer, my mistake - they haven't even released any data at all on asymptomatic outcomes following the Pfizer vaccine! As per CDC USA:
"important outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion and asymptomatic infection, so they were not included in the evidence profile. Data on SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion will be available from an ongoing Phase II/III trial, but asymptomatic infection is not currently being studied."

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Seriously, you're bringing this website into disrepute by CONSTANTLY peddling this false narrative

WTF????

Listen the author is Jeff Pao who is the editor of Hong Kong's Asia Times. If you somehow feel you know the situation better in HK than he does I suggest you look in the mirror again at what your face looks like and keep your mouth closed and stop making yourself look like a dummy.

If you still feel the same you can contact him on twitter over your concerns about his "false narratives" ruining this "reputable" site vs his "irreputable" one.

https://twitter.com/jeffpao3

I honestly suggest you splash some cold water onto your face to wake yourself up to reality instead of being in a constant state of enamored blindness (which is far more likely to cause this site to go into disrepute rather than the articles re-posted).

 

[aziqbal]

China is probably deliberating giving low quality vaccines to HK residents

not that the vaccine is any good even Brazil has reported low efficacy

 

[Itachi]

China is probably deliberating giving low quality vaccines to HK residents

not that the vaccine is any good even Brazil has reported low efficacy

It's a shitty vaccine.

This is gonna hurt a lot of Iron Brothers & Chinese egos:

 

[masterchief_mirza]

WTF????

View attachment 708145

Listen the author is Jeff Pao who is the editor of Hong Kong's Asia Times. If you somehow feel you know the situation better in HK than he does I suggest you look in the mirror again at what your face looks like and keep your mouth closed and stop making yourself look like a dummy.

If you still feel the same you can contact him on twitter over your concerns about his "false narratives" ruining this "reputable" site vs his "irreputable" one.

https://twitter.com/jeffpao3

I honestly suggest you splash some cold water onto your face to wake yourself up to reality instead of being in a constant state of enamored blindness (which is far more likely to cause this site to go into disrepute rather than the articles re-posted).

You're asking me to go with Jeff over The Lancet?

No can do.

I tried splashing water on myself as per you suggestion - (a) I didn't melt and (b) The Lancet is still a reputable scientific journal.
As for you, the advice is now different. Since you fail to comprehend simple facts, you may as well just carry on peddling this narrative on multiple threads. You're in waaaaay too deep to back out of this one.