Vaccinations on mainland open to eligible HK and Macao residents

Some Hong Kong and Macao residents living and working on the Chinese mainland are eligible for free COVID-19 vaccinations, the State Council's Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism said on Wednesday.

They can use either their mainland residential permits or proof of mainland medical insurance programs to get voluntarily vaccinated. A notice released on the website of the National Health Commission said they will enjoy the same supporting policies as mainland residents. Only residents of the special administrative regions classified as Chinese nationals are eligible, the notice said.

"Teachers and students from Hong Kong and Macao who are now working and studying on the mainland will be treated equally and in the same way as their mainland counterparts," the notice said.

If they show adverse reactions after being inoculated they are also entitled to the same treatment and reimbursements as mainland residents, it added.

Currently, all mainland residents cleared for use of COVID-19 vaccines can get vaccinated for free and some cities have begun offering vaccines to foreigners.