Vaccination rates have improved for elderly residents between 50 and 80 years of age, but remain low for residents over 80, health authorities indicated.
Currently, a total of 71.7 per cent of the Macau population had been vaccinated with at least one dose of either the BioNTech or the Sinopharm vaccine.
The vaccination rate by age group currently stands at 63 per cent for 12 to 19 years; 93 per cent from 20 to 29 years; 95.5 per cent for 30 to 39 years; and the highest for residents 40 to 49 years at 99.1 per cent.
Meanwhile, inoculation rates have also improved for older residents, with the vaccination rate for 50 to 59 years old standing at 80.7 per cent, 60 per cent between 60 to 69 years, and 40 per cent for 70 to 79 years.
However, the rate for people over 80 years of age has barely moved, standing at only 14 per cent.
Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre Coordinator Dr. Leong Iek Hou stated yesterday more efforts would be carried out to improve the vaccination rate of elderly residents, such as holding clarification sessions.
Health authorities had previously stated only when the global vaccination rate reached 80 per cent, could they consider changing some of the pandemic restrictions put in place.
leong underlined that data shows that vaccines against COVID-19, whether for the Delta variant or for the Omicron variant, are still effective in preventing serious illnesses, hospitalizations and death, urging residents who have not yet have been vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Residents who completed two doses of vaccine more than six months ago can receive the 3rd dose, with data showing that the antibody titre of individuals vaccinated with three doses of the vaccine will increase rapidly, offering greater efficacy in protecting against the Omicron variant.
