HONG KONG — Hong Kong authorities halted on Wednesday the use of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech as a precaution due to defective packaging, which is likely to slow the Chinese territory’s already sluggish inoculation drive.
The suspension comes as the Asian financial hub has faced a slow take-up of vaccines due to dwindling confidence in China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd vaccine and fears of adverse reactions.
“For sake of caution the vaccination must be suspended immediately during the investigation period,” the city government said in a statement, referring to the Pfizer/BioNTech shot.
The city began vaccinating residents with doses from Sinovac in Februar…
Keep on reading: Hong Kong halts Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines, investigates packaging