The first batch of COVID-19 vaccines from Sinovac, one million doses in total, will arrive in Hong Kong in January. Priority will go to healthcare workers and the elderly, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Friday at a press conference. 

The HKSAR's government has signed advanced purchase agreements with two manufacturers, Sinovac and Pfizer, each of which will supply 7.5 million jabs, Lam said, pledging that each of the city's 7.5 million residents would receive the free vaccine.

The authorities expect to soon reach a deal with a third company, AstraZeneca, that would involve another 7.5 million shots. The AstraZeneca vaccine will not be available in the city until the second half of next year at the earliest, Lam added.