(ECNS) -- Hong Kong will implement a quota system in Maternal and Child Health Centres from April 1 to accord service priority to local children, the Department of Health said.
Assistant Director of Health Dr Teresa Li said the vaccination quota for children who are not Hong Kong residents has been set at a maximum of 120 new cases per month at the 31 centers.
Hong Kong introduced the policy after an illegal vaccine operation scandal on the Chinese mainland raised fears that some families would come to the city for inoculations and put pressure on supplies. The vaccines, which police said were made by licensed producers, were not kept refrigerated, making it possible that they could be ineffective.
Li said the department will monitor the situation and adjust the quota or withhold new case bookings for non-resident if necessary.
Assistant Director of Health Linda Woo confirmed there is no vaccine shortage in the public sector at present.
Hong Kong will procure additional vaccines from suppliers in accordance with established contractual agreements to ensure stable and sufficient vaccine supply.
Hong Kong family doctor Zhu Weixing told China Business News that enquiries have doubled but that the actual number of mainland children vaccinated in Hong Kong has not increased dramatically.
