Covid-19 Vaccination - Blog - Health Corner

Updated on 2 Feb 2024

The information on the COVID-19 changes every day and it is getting difficult for people to catch up with the latest situation. Therefore, Marina Medical will like to contribute by providing what we have learned and organised them in a way that hopefully, you can understand and get yourself prepared. We will actively update on anything new that we have learned.

Make an appointment (Sinovac, BionTech Comirnaty Bivalent, BionTech Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 and Moderna Spikevax XBB.1.5 Vaccine) with us for Covid-19 vaccination now.

COMIRNATY Bivalent and XBB vaccines in Marina Medical.

COMIRNATY Bivalent and XBB vaccines in Marina Medical.

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Latest Update

XBB mRNA COVID-19 vaccine

The new generation XBB mRNA vaccines (BionTech Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 and Moderna Spikevax XBB.1.5 Vaccine) are available for vaccination. The new XBB COVID-19 vaccine covers EG.5 and BA2.86 COVID-19 viruses.

The latest data found that the XBB vaccine can moderately enhance protection compared with the original vaccine or the bivalent vaccine. As for side effects, they are similar to previous vaccines. It is suggested that people who are at hjigh risk, who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 more than six months ago or have been infected should arrange to receive the new XBB COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

XBB mRNA vaccine

Who can get XBB mRNA vaccine?

XBB 1.5 dispersion for injection is indicated for active immunisation to prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2, in individuals 12 years of age and older regardless of prior COVID-19 vaccination status.

Regardless of whether you have received any COVID-19 vaccine, all persons who is 12 years and older can receive the XBB mRNA vaccine. For individuals who have previously been vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine, XBB.1.5 should be administered at least 3 months after the most recent dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

People 12 years and older who are severely immunocompromised

According to the pharmaceutical manufacturer, people with immune system issues can receive more than one dose of the XBB mRNA vaccine. Please consult your doctor for details.

Vaccines Comparison table

Technology platforms	Messenger RNA (mRNA)			Inactivated
Abbreviation	BioNTech		Moderna	Sinovac
Product name	Comirnaty		Spikevax	CoronaVac
Formulations currently available and the active ingredients	Original/Omicron BA.4-5 Bivalent vaccine (15 micrograms Tozinameran and 15 micrograms Famtozinameran per dose)	Omicron XBB.1.5 formulation (30 micrograms Raxtozinameran per dose)	Omicron XBB.1.5 formulation (0.5 ml per dose, equivalent to 50 micrograms Andusomeran)	Ancestral strain formulation 0.5 ml per dose containing Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Virus (CZ02 strain) with aluminium hydroxide as adjuvant
Age group	Adolescents and adult aged 12 or above			Persons aged 6 months or above

Vaccination time

Group	For Inactivated vaccine			For mRNA vaccine
	1st to 2nd dose	2nd to 3rd dose	Booster dose	1st to 2nd dose	2nd to 3rd dose	Booster dose
6 months - 4 years old	28 days	90 days	90 days	56 days	90 days	90 days
5 - 17 years old						150 days
18 - 49 years old						90 days
50 years or above				28 days		90 days
Immunocompromised	28 days

The above table is based on recommendations from the Centre for Health Protection on December 14th 2023.

Persons Eligible for Receiving Vaccination

Hong Kong residents

Additional Booster in 2023/24

Citizens belonging to the following priority groups, if they have completed the initial doses, they are recommended to receive an additional vaccine booster at least 180 days after their last dose or recovery from COVID-19 infection (whichever is later) free of charge, regardless of the number of vaccine doses they received in the past:

Individuals aged 50 or above (including elderly living in residential care homes)
Persons aged 18 to 49 years with underlying comorbidities
Persons aged 6 months or above and with immunocompromising conditions
Pregnant women
Healthcare workers

People do not belong to priority groups

An additional booster may be considered at least 180 days after the last dose/recovery from COVID-19 infection (whichever is later). People may get XBB vaccine as additional booster from Marina Medical at own expense.

The following groups of citizens based on personal choice as recommended by experts if they have completed the initial doses: