China is fighting the current Covid-19 outbreaks. According to the latest figures from Hong Kong, the reasons for the magnitude of the problems lie mainly in two factors: the low vaccination rate and the initially successful “zero Covid policy” due to the low “natural immunity” due to previous infections with the pathogen SARS -CoV-2.
This is now apparent from an American-Chinese study by official authorities. Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta (US) and its Chinese counterpart, the Chinese CDC, published their report simultaneously on their websites. It is about the background of the omicron outbreak in Hong Kong between January 6 and March 21 this year, which is the latest epidemiological data.
Guilty “Zero Covid” Policy
The events in Hong Kong appear to be largely due to two factors. First, the low vaccination coverage in the population: As of December 23, 2021, 67 percent of vaccinated people in Hong Kong had received at least one dose of the vaccines, 64 percent had received two partial vaccinations, and five percent had received a booster dose. However, for the over-60s, these ratios were only 52, 49 and seven percent.
In the over 60s, the vaccination coverage decreased with age. Only 48 percent of the 70- to 79-year-olds had received at least one dose, 45 percent two partial vaccinations and seven percent a booster. For those over 80, the rate of first vaccinations was only 20 percent. Only 18 percent received two vaccinations and only two percent received a booster. However, immunity was only possible through vaccination due to the official “Zero-Covid-Strategy” of the authorities.
96% of deaths in people over 60
The outcome of the study should continue to dramatically demonstrate the need for continued vaccination against Covid-19 in the elderly population – probably globally as well. The authors: “Between January and March 2022, the number of Covid-19 deaths in Hong Kong has increased. 96 percent of these deaths occurred in the over 60 age group. The risk of death was 20 times lower among the fully vaccinated than among the unvaccinated.”
It is not yet clear, according to the scientists, why the willingness to receive the Covid 19 vaccination in Hong Kong before the last “wave” was so low among the elderly for the last “wave”. As early as June 2021, however, a poll showed that 56.8 percent of participants were skeptical to negative about the vaccination.
In addition, the strategy of the Chinese authorities to suppress the pandemic as much as possible from the start may also have contributed to a large proportion of the omicron variant affecting the population unprotected. “The aggressive ‘zero-Covid strategy’ that had been successful before Omicron may have contributed to this complacency,” the researchers write.
Many elderly remain unvaccinated
Apparently, it was the current crisis that led to a change of mind: As of March 21 this year, 81 percent of 60- to 69-year-olds in Hong Kong had received two doses of vaccine, 69 percent of 70- to 79-year-olds – year-olds and 39 percent of the over-80s. Despite this, the very old ones have clearly remained relatively unprotected to this day.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
