There should be further assessment to establish whether the condition is caused by the Sinovac Covid-19 jab, she said. Casualty should be established if the case is to be compensated under a HK$1 billion indemnity fund.

She was referring to the 72-year-old man who received the Sinovac vaccine on Saturday, and soon developed heart palpitations and was sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Chan said this case will be followed by the Hospital Authority. She also noted that the BioNTech vaccine which arrived last Saturday is more likely to cause side effects including headache and fever.

Still she reassured the public that both Covid vaccines are safe and effective, and approved by professionals. Chan encouraged the public to receive vaccination, “better sooner than later”.

Patrick Nip Tak-kuen, secretary for civil service, claimed that sickness is not necessarily brought by vaccine jab.

He pointed out that after receiving the vaccine shot citizens need to stay at the center for around 30 minutes. Medics on-site will monitor if any situation develops.