Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said Saturday that the government would open more appointments for COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, urging the public to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Private clinics will begin to vaccinate the citizens with the mainland's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines next week, Lam said, adding that it has been evaluated by experts and approved by the health authorities for emergency use in accordance with the law in Hong Kong.