The government on Thursday announced that non-Hong Kong residents will no longer be able to receive free Covid-19 vaccinations in the SAR starting next week.

Currently, non-residents are eligible to get first-generation BioNTech or Sinovac Covid shots for free.

But from January 16, they will no longer have access to free jabs at government-run vaccination venues, and must pay for the shots at private healthcare providers.

Non-Hong Kong residents who were previously inoculated under the government vaccination programme or hold an appointment before next Monday, meanwhile, can still get jabbed.

Officials said the change was made after considering the recent increase in local demand for Covid jabs, as well as the provision of vaccination services by the private sector.

"Covid-19 vaccination of any kind will no longer be offered to non-Hong Kong residents under the government vaccination programme in order to ensure that Hong Kong residents are accorded priority in the allocation of Covid-19 vaccines under the programme and healthcare resources are utilised prudently," a government statement wrote.