Experts from the panel on Covid vaccines today took two hours to give their unanimous backing for the vaccine, pending a final decision from Hong Kong’s health chief.

Its convenor, Professor Wallace Lau Chak-sing, said the panel decided to recommend the use of the vaccine after concluding the benefits outweighed the risks, considering all the information provided.

The group has previously said they believe the vaccine is safe and effective according to its data in the first and second stages, adding that the panel had assessed phase-three clinical trials of the vaccines in Brazil, Turkey, and Indonesia and was satisfied with its effectiveness.