Hong Kong says the original investigation of BioNTech vaccines shows no 'obvious systemic factors'
28 March, 2021
Hong Kong's government said a short investigation by Germany's BioNTech and Fosun Industrial into its coronavirus vaccine didn't show any "obvious systemic elements" during packaging after make use of the vaccine was suspended in the town and neighbouring Macau this week.
Authorities on Wednesday (Mar 24) halted the utilization of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by BioNTech citing defective product packaging, triggering confusion found in inoculation centres over the city.
The suspension came as the Asian financial hub has faced a sluggish take-up of vaccines because of dwindling confidence in China's Sinovac vaccine and fears of effects.
In a statement published late on Saturday, the city's government said the investigation results didn't rule out that the problem was "due to environmental conditions during the long-haul transport process".
It was not linked to the cold-chain and logistical control of the vaccine and random tests of intact vials delivered to Hong Kong didn't uncover any problem of leakage, it said.
Both Fosun and BioNTech considered the vaccines to haven't any safety risks and people who have received them "need not worry", the government said.
The remaining part of the investigation will give attention to "ascertaining the integrity of the intrinsic properties of the relevant batches of vaccine, and that the batches are safe for use".
The government said it had been following up with Fosun and BioNTech to complete the investigation within weekly to permit for a resumption of supplying the vaccines to the general public.
The town started vaccinating residents with doses from Sinovac in February and began offering the one developed by BioNTech in March.
The BioNTech vaccine is distributed in Hong Kong and Macau with a partnership with China's Fosun Pharma, while BioNTech partners with Pfizer in markets external greater China.
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