The government on Tuesday lowered the minimum age limit for the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine to six months, as recommended by its advisers a day earlier.

Previously, children needed to be older than three to get Sinovac, and five for BioNTech.

Authorities said in a statement that from Thursday, parents or guardians will be able to make online bookings for toddlers to receive the Sinovac jabs at community vaccination centres or designated Hospital Authority outpatient clinics, or take their children to certain private doctors to get the shots for free.

The minimum age limit for the BioNtech vaccine, meanwhile, remains at five as officials continue to engage in discussions with the drug manufacturer to purchase the right dosage for children.

The civil service minister, Ingrid Yeung, urged parents to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible, saying the government is very concerned about a recent death and serious Covid cases involving toddlers.