'Covid jabs still useful despite subvariants'
Chinese University researchers on Monday confirmed that the two Covid vaccines that are provided under the government’s vaccination programme remain highly effective in preventing severe illnesses and death despite the emergence of various Omicron subvariants.  The researchers, including the government’s former pandemic advisor David Hui, said they’ve tracked almost 660 people who’d either been infected, or received at least two doses of BioNTech or Sinovac vaccine – or a mix of both.  They said even though the two vaccines may not work very well in preventing infections involving Omicron subvariants, data suggests they can still activate T-cell immune responses and effectively prevent severe cases and death. "With the emergence of Omicron subvariants, especially the XBB variant, there are extensive changes in the spike protein. It is like a lock... [and] your key is no longer effective," Hui said. "However, the vaccines can protect us from getting severe diseases requiring hospitalisation and death because of the T-cell response." Hui reminded high-risk groups to get a booster shot six months after their last jab or infection, noting also that BioNTech offers better protection to the elderly. Non high-risk individuals, meanwhile, have been advised to wait for the next generation of Covid vaccine that can better target Omicron subvariants.  The expert said the new jabs are expected to be available in Hong Kong by the end of the year.