Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing (C) attends a press conference in south China's Hong Kong, March 16, 2018. Li Ka-shing said on Friday that he is retiring from his business empire. Li said he would officially step down as the chairman of CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. and CK Asset holdings Ltd. at the annual general meeting of the company on May 10 and would serve as a senior adviser. He will be succeeded by his elder son Victor Li Tzar Kuoi. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

 

Hong Kong's richest man, Li Ka-shing, who has received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in mid-April and early May, currently has a satisfying antibody index, says his doctor.   

The Li Ka Shing Foundation confirmed on Facebook on Thursday that the local tycoon has received both shots of the COVID-19 vaccine, and that his antibody index "satisfied the doctor."

The 92-year-old billionaire was quoted as saying, "Free from the epidemic, I feel so happy!"

According to the picture posted in the foundation's Facebook page, Li was inoculated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. He received his first shot on April 16 and the second dose on May 7. 

The post was published amid reports that Hong Kong might have to throw away more than 1 million doses of vaccines due to impending expiration if the public's willingness to be vaccinated does not increase.

According to official data, there were 1.05 million unused doses of Sinovac vaccine and 840,000 of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as of Monday. As the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be stored at an ultra-low temperature and has a relatively short validity period, Hong Kong's Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines will expire in mid-August.

"If the quantity of uptake falls short of the quantity in storage, some of the precious vaccines will be wasted," the Hong Kong government said in the press release, noting that the public's demand for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has gradually become sluggish. 

Experts suggested that the government open up vaccinations for more groups or mandate vaccinations in some industries.

Carrie Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said on Tuesday that it would be better for private organizations or employers to provide economic incentives, such as cash or gifts.

Hong Kong's Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip thanked Li for taking action to support vaccinations in a separate Facebook post. 

Li had called on others to join him in a post on Facebook after his first dose on April 16, saying, "I have taken the vaccine shot today. What about you?"

Global Times