HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government announced on Saturday that uninfected individuals aged 18 to 59 who are at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure or with personal needs may choose to receive a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine from now on.

From Saturday until next Wednesday, people who are eligible for a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine may go to Community Vaccination Centers or Hospital COVID-19 Vaccination Stations to get a same-day ticket for vaccination.

Starting from 8:00 a.m. local time next Thursday, members of the public can make reservations for vaccination through the designated website of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program.

As experts have advised, for individuals aged 18 to 59, they may choose to receive a fourth dose at least six months from their third dose administration.

For recovered adults in the same age group, now they can receive their third dose six months after they have received their second dose or their recovery (whichever is later).

Experts considered a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine in younger populations may provide transient additional protection against infection and symptomatic diseases, said a HKSAR government spokesperson.

On Saturday, Hong Kong registered 103 new COVID-19 cases by nucleic acid tests, and 125 additional cases through self-reported rapid antigen tests, official data showed.