Government says BioNTech vaccine probe shows no system error

Hong Kong authorities have assured those who have already received the vaccine, that it is safe.

The Hong Kong government said that investigations about packaging defects on the BioNTech vaccine have revealed no system errors to the filling, packaging, or administration that could have led to the relevant packaging defects of the vaccine.

According to a government statement, the Department of Health had noticed some cases of packaging defects from loose vials caps and leakage of the vaccine in some BioNTech batches. The DH immediately notified the vaccine supplier Fosun Industrial Co., Limited and German drug manufacturer BioNTech and requested for prompt follow-up.

According to the investigations completed by Fosun and BioNTech so far, there has been no indication of any obvious systemic factors during the processes looked at.

Random sample testing of vaccine vials which were intact did not uncover any issue of vaccine leakage.

“At this juncture, the investigation results do not rule out that the relevant situation is caused by environmental conditions during the long-haul transport process. That said, having regard to consolidated figures from the investigation, it is believed that the relevant situation is not related to cold-chain and logistical management,” the government said.

Initial investigations by Fosun and BioNTech said that there is no evidence indicating any safety risks of the BioNTech vaccine batches delivered to Hong Kong.

“Members of the public who have received the BioNTech vaccines do not need to worry. The subsequent investigation work will mainly target on ascertaining the integrity of the intrinsic properties of the relevant batches of vaccine, and that the batches are safe for use. The Government is actively following up with Fosun and German manufacturer BioNTech to strive to complete the investigation procedures within a week,” the government said.