In recent days, city government centres providing shots produced by BioNTech have been mostly booked solid, some until February, in contrast with a few weeks ago when anyone seeking a vaccine could stroll into a nearly empty facility.

"After the opening of the border, I expect there will be more infected people on the streets, I want to reduce my chance of getting infected," said a Hong Kong resident.

Hong Kong’s government announced plans to reopen its border and resume restriction-free travel for the first time in more than three years after Beijing abandoned its strict "zero-Covid" policy and announced it was easing its travel restrictions from 8 January 2023.

Hong Kong saw a sluggish vaccine uptake when the shots first became available in 2001, particularly among the elderly, but rates picked up over the past year and more than 83% of Hong Kong residents have received three doses of either the BioNTech shot or China’s Sinovac vaccine, according to government data.

Number of people getting fourth shot more than 100%

The number of people getting a fourth shot jumped more than 100% this week from a week earlier.

It’s not just a fear of new infections after the border reopens there's also worry that mainland visitors will snap up mRNA vaccines, which can give better protection against Covid but are not available for Chinese residents on the mainland.

Many mainlanders have been asking on social media about how to get an mRNA vaccine in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong’s government has said non-residents will have to pay for vaccines at private clinics.

"I’m afraid it might be harder to get vaccinated once mainlanders start coming. I’m a bit worried that vaccinations will run out," Hong Kong residents said.

Reuters