HONG KONG (BLOOMBERG) - Hong Kong suspended online bookings of the Covid-19 vaccine manufactured by BioNTech, soon after the government halted the roll-out because of packaging defects on the vials.

According to the city's online vaccine booking system, reservations for the BioNTech vaccine have suspended. Bookings for the Sinovac vaccine were still available.

The suspension of the bookings had been flagged on Wednesday (March 24), when Hong Kong officials announced the halting of BioNTech shots after the authorities detected dozens of vials with tilted or loose caps and minor stains. Secretary for Civil Service Patrick Nip said the vaccination will have to be suspended until further notice.

Residents who received their first shot of the BioNTech vaccine are scheduled to receive their second dose starting from Saturday. The government said follow-up shots can be administered 19 to 42 days after the first injection.