Hong Kong halts batch of Pfizer vaccines over defective packaging

Hong Kong and Macau have has suspended Covid vaccinations from a single batch of Pfizer/BioNTech shots over defective packaging, the South China Morning Post reported on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, several centres around the Asian financial hub were told to stop using the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

Hong Kong and Macau on Wednesday said they were suspending the use of the coronavirus vaccine after being informed of a packaging problem with a batch of vials.

"For the sake of precaution, the current vaccination must be suspended during the period of investigation," Hong Kong's government said in a statement. 

Both Chinese cities said their decision came after they were contacted about the issue by Fosun, the Chinese pharmaceutical company that is distributing the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in China.

Vials with the lot number 210102 were found to have defective packaging, authorities said, adding they decided to act out of an abundance of caution until their investigation is concluded.

(with inputs)