🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 68 (from laksa026)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa068.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/detail/23740.html\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/detail/23740.html\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/press\/press-releases\/detail\/23740.html","crawl_time":1773931611,"first_indexed_time":1639509746,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"hk,hku!www,\/press\/press-releases\/detail\/23740.html s443","src_root_hash":"13463010531643462468","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"HKU microbiologists find that two doses of BNT162b2 (BioNTech ) or Coronavac (Sinovac) vaccines are inadequate against Omicron virus variants - Press Releases - Media - HKU","meta_descriptions":[],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Researchers at the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) have found that most individuals after given two doses of the vaccine (either BioNtech or Coronavac) do not produce sufficient levels of serum antibodies against the new Omicron virus variant. The public is advised to get a third dose of the vaccine as soon as possible while awaiting for the next generation of more matched vaccine. The results of the study have been accepted for publication in the medical journal \nClinical Infectious Diseases\n.  It is available online as a preprint.\nBackground\nThe SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, first identified in November 2021, is spreading worldwide. This variant is particularly worrisome due to the large number of mutations in the virus that could affect infectivity or vaccine efficacy. To assess the effectiveness of existing COVID-19 vaccines in Hong Kong against this novel variant, researchers at the Department of Microbiology tested the ability of serum samples from fully vaccinated recipients to neutralize this variant. Serum neutralizing antibody titers are currently the only easily reproducible surrogate marker of protection against  COVID-19.\nResearch findings\nTo test the ability of vaccine recipients' serum antibodies to neutralize the Omicron variant, the team used sera from two groups of vaccine recipients who have received two doses of BNT162b2 (BioNtech) or Coronavac.  Each group consists of 25 people. \nThe study aims to more fully evaluate the health risk of the Omicron variant to the Hong Kong population and the need for a universal third dose.\nTwo Omicron variants present in Hong Kong were tested, one from South Africa and the other from Nigeria (with the additional R346K mutation). The ability of serum antibodies to neutralize the Alpha, Beta, and Delta strains was also tested as a control.\nOnly five out of 25 Biontech vaccine recipients had neutralizing ability against the Omicron variant virus, and the vaccine efficiency was significantly reduced to 20 - 24%. Compared to the original SARS-CoV-2 strain, the titer of neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant has decreased by 36 - 40 fold.\nNone of the serum of the 25 Coronavac vaccine recipients contain sufficient antibody to neutralize the Omicron variant at the limit of 1 in 10 dilution.\nImplications of the study\n1. The Omicron variant virus was able to reduce the effectiveness of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, particularly against Coronavac. Therefore, COVID-19 vaccine recipients or even those recovered COVID-19 patients may be at a higher risk of breakthrough or reinfection. Our findings suggest that the design of the next generation of COVID-19 vaccine should consider sufficient coverage against this novel viral variant.\n2. A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine is needed to enhance the antibody response against the Omicron variant. \n3. Whether a third dose of the present Coronavac vaccine will enhance the neutralizing antibody response against the Omicron variant remains to be determined.\nAbout the Research Team\nKwok-Yung Yuen\n, Henry Fok Professor of Infectious Diseases, Chair Professor of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, and Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Director of the State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong\nKelvin To\n, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology\nHonglin Chen\n, Professor, Department of Microbiology\nThis research is funded by the Health and Medical Research Fund, the Food and Health Bureau, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.\nThe preprint of the study  \"Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant by sera from BNT162b2 or Coronavac vaccine recipients\" is posted at: \n \nhttps:\/\/medrxiv.org\/cgi\/content\/short\/2021.12.13.21267668v1\nA portable graphical link to the  paper (QR code) can be obtained here:\nhttps:\/\/connect.medrxiv.org\/qr\/2021.12.13.21267668\n. \nMedia enquiries:\nCommunications and Public Affairs Office, The University of Hong Kong\nRashida Suffiad (Tel: 2857 8555, Email: rsuffiad@hku.hk)\nMelanie Wan (Tel: 2859 2600, Email: melwkwan@hku.hk)","attrs_markdown":"- [About](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about)\n  - [About](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about)\n  - [Vision & Mission](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/vision.html)\n  - [Vision 2026-2035](https:\/\/vision2026-2035.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [University Governance](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/governance.html)\n    - [Ordinance](https:\/\/calendar.hku.hk\/university-ordinance-and-statutes\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Statutes](https:\/\/calendar.hku.hk\/university-ordinance-and-statutes\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Fit for Purpose Report 2003](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/governance\/purpose_report.html)\n    - [Governance Structure](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/governance\/governance_structure.html)\n      - [The Court](https:\/\/hku.hk\/about\/governance\/governance_structure.html#court)\n      - [The Council](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/governance\/governance_structure.html#council)\n      - [The Senate](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/governance\/governance_structure.html#senate)\n  - [Profile Indicators](https:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/firstandforemost\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Student Admission](https:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/firstandforemost\/admission \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Student Diversity & Internationalisation](https:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/firstandforemost\/internationalisation \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Graduate Employment](https:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/firstandforemost\/graduate_employment \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Teaching & Learning](https:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/firstandforemost\/teaching_learning \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Research](https:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/firstandforemost\/research \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Innovations & Knowledge Exchange](https:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/firstandforemost\/innovation \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Donations](https:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/firstandforemost\/donations \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Institutional Reputation & Global Presence](https:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/firstandforemost\/rankings \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [University History](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/university-history\/the-early-years.html)\n    - [The Early Years](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/university-history\/the-early-years.html)\n    - [From Post-War to the New Millennium](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/university-history\/past.html)\n    - [Sun Yat-sen and HKU](http:\/\/100.hku.hk\/sunyatsen\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [University Today](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/university-today\/today.html)\n    - [University Today](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/university-today\/today.html)\n    - [International and Mainland Collaboration](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/university-today\/international.html)\n    - [Research Excellence](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/university-today\/research.html)\n    - [Finance & Funding](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/university-today\/finance.html)\n  - [University Publications](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/publications\/)\n    - [Bulletin](https:\/\/bulletin.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Calendar](https:\/\/calendar.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Convocation Newsletter](https:\/\/www.alumni.hku.hk\/newsletter \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [First and Foremost](https:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/firstandforemost\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [QuickStats](https:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/qstats\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Annual Report](https:\/\/annualreport.hku.hk\/2022\/index.html \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Info for Students](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/current-students\/)\n  - [Info for Staff](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/)\n  - [University Identity](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/uid\/introduction.html)\n    - [Introduction](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/uid\/introduction.html)\n    - [Policies & Guidelines](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/uid\/policies.html)\n    - [Background](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/uid\/background.html)\n    - [Basic Specifications](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/uid\/basic.html)\n    - [HKU Shield and Wordmark Download](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/uid\/download.html)\n    - [Brand Guidelines Download](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/uid\/brandguidelines.html)\n  - [Officers of the University](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/officers.html)\n    - [Chancellor](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/officers.html#chancellor)\n    - [Pro-Chancellor](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/officers.html#pro-chancellor)\n    - [President and Vice-Chancellor](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/officers.html#president-and-vice-chancellor)\n    - [Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/officers.html#deouty-vice-chancellor-and-provost)\n    - [Executive Vice-President (Administration and Finance)](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/officers.html#Executive-Vice-President-Administration-and-Finance)\n    - [Vice-Presidents and Pro-Vice-Chancellors](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/officers.html#pro-vice-chancellors-and-vice-presidents)\n    - [Treasurer](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/officers.html#treasurer)\n    - [Deans of Faculties](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/officers.html#deans-of-faculties)\n    - [Dean of Student Affairs](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/officers.html#dean-of-student-affairs)\n    - [Registrar](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/officers.html#registrar)\n    - [Director of Finance](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/officers.html#director-of-finance)\n    - [Chief Information Officer and University Librarian](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/officers.html#librarian)\n    - [Director of Estates](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/officers.html#director-of-estates)\n  - [Policies](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/policies_reports.html)\n  - [President's Office](https:\/\/presidentoffice.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Teaching & Learning](http:\/\/tl.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Teaching & Learning](http:\/\/tl.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Teaching and Learning at HKU](http:\/\/tl.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Undergraduate Admissions](https:\/\/admissions.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Taught Postgraduate Admissions](https:\/\/admissions.hku.hk\/tpg\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Research Postgraduate Admissions](https:\/\/gradsch.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - Useful Links\n  - [HKU Online Learning (MOOCs)](http:\/\/online.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Academic Advising and Scholarships Office (AASO)](https:\/\/aas.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Common Core](http:\/\/tl.hku.hk\/common-core-curriculum\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Gallant Ho Experiential Learning Centre (GHELC)](http:\/\/ghelc.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Horizons Office](http:\/\/tl.hku.hk\/horizons\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC)](https:\/\/talic.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Research](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research)\n  - [Research](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research)\n  - Research Strengths\n  - [Areas of Excellence](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/areas_excellence.html)\n    - [Areas of Excellence (AoE) Scheme](https:\/\/www.ugc.edu.hk\/eng\/rgc\/funding_opport\/aoe\/index.html \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [AoE application information (for HKU members)](http:\/\/www.rss.hku.hk\/fund\/aoe \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Theme-based Research](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/theme_based.html)\n    - [Theme-based Research Scheme (TRS)](https:\/\/www.ugc.edu.hk\/eng\/rgc\/funding_opport\/trs\/index.html \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [TRS application information (for HKU members)](http:\/\/www.rss.hku.hk\/fund\/tbrs \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Strategic Topics Grant](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/stg.html)\n    - [Strategic Topics Grant (STG)](https:\/\/www.ugc.edu.hk\/eng\/rgc\/funding_opport\/stg\/index.html \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [STG application information (for HKU members)](https:\/\/www.rss.hku.hk\/fund\/stg \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [State Key Laboratories and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratories](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/state-key-labs-cas-hku-joint-labs.html)\n    - [State Ministry of Science and Technology](http:\/\/www.most.gov.cn\/eng\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [SKL application information (for HKU members)](http:\/\/www.rss.hku.hk\/fund\/skl \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Chinese Academy of Sciences](http:\/\/english.cas.cn\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [InnoHK Research Laboratories](https:\/\/www.hkuinno.com.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - Strategies and Governance\n  - [Direction and Strategies](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/direction_strategies.html)\n    - [Vision 2026-2035](https:\/\/vision2026-2035.hku.hk\/index.html \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)](https:\/\/www.presidentsoffice.hku.hk\/leadership\/professor-stephanie-ma \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [University Research Committee](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/urc.html)\n    - [Chinese Mainland Research Institutes: HKU-ZIRI and HKU-SIRI](http:\/\/www.mrpo.hku.hk\/about-us\/hku-shenzhen-institute-of-research-and-innovation-hku-siri?lang=en \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Research Services](https:\/\/www.rss.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Mainland Research Projects Office](http:\/\/www.mrpo.hku.hk\/?lang=en \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Graduate School](http:\/\/www.gradsch.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Knowledge Exchange Office](http:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Technology Transfer Office\/Versitech Ltd.](http:\/\/www.tto.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Techno-Entrepreneurship Core](https:\/\/tec.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)](https:\/\/www.presidentsoffice.hku.hk\/leadership\/professor-stephanie-ma \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [University Research Committee](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/urc.html)\n    - [Direction and Strategies](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/direction_strategies.html)\n    - [Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)](https:\/\/www.presidentsoffice.hku.hk\/leadership\/professor-stephanie-ma \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Research Integrity](https:\/\/www.rss.hku.hk\/integrity \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - Impact and Innovation\n  - [Research Impact Cases](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/story\/impact \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Innovation Showcase](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/story\/innovation \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - People\n  - [Our Researchers](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/our-researchers.html)\n    - [Staff Profiles](http:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/qstats\/staff-profiles \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Academicians at HKU](https:\/\/academicdevelopment.hku.hk\/awards-recognition\/hku-recipients-of-awards-honours\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Honours and Awards](https:\/\/academicdevelopment.hku.hk\/awards-recognition\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Expertise and Collaboration](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/expertise-collaborate.html)\n    - [HKU Scholars Hub](http:\/\/hub.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Find an Expert](http:\/\/www4.hku.hk\/hkumcd\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Knowledge Exchange](http:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Technology Transfer](http:\/\/www.tto.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Industry Collaborative Research Opportunities](http:\/\/www.rss.hku.hk\/contracts\/collaborative-opportunities \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Faculties and Departments](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/faculties\/)\n    - [Research Centres and Institutes](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/centres_institutes.html)\n  - [HKU Scholars Hub](http:\/\/hub.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - Centres and Institutes\n  - [Chinese Mainland Research Institutes](http:\/\/www.mrpo.hku.hk\/about-us\/hku-shenzhen-institute-of-research-and-innovation-hku-siri?lang=en \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Research Centres and Institutes](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/centres_institutes.html)\n  - News and Highlights\n  - [Latest Research News](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/news.html)\n    - [HKU Media](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/hkumedia\/)\n    - [Faculty of Architecture](http:\/\/www.arch.hku.hk\/about\/news\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Faculty of Arts](http:\/\/arts.hku.hk\/news \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Faculty of Business and Economics (HKU Business School)](https:\/\/www.hkubs.hku.hk\/media\/school-news\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Faculty of Dentistry](http:\/\/facdent.hku.hk\/news-and-events\/news-and-press-release.html \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Faculty of Education](http:\/\/web.edu.hku.hk\/media \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Faculty of Engineering](http:\/\/engg.hku.hk\/home\/news.htm \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Faculty of Law](https:\/\/www.law.hku.hk\/press-releases\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine](https:\/\/www.med.hku.hk\/en\/News \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Faculty of Science](https:\/\/www.scifac.hku.hk\/news \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Faculty of Social Sciences](http:\/\/www.socsc.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Research Highlights](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/video\/)\n  - [HKU Research Stories](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/hku-research-stories.html)\n    - [Latest Research News](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/news.html)\n    - [Research Highlights](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/video\/)\n  - [Facts and Figures](https:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/firstandforemost\/research \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Honours and Awards](https:\/\/academicdevelopment.hku.hk\/awards-recognition\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - Support Offices\n  - [Research Services](https:\/\/www.rss.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Mainland Research Projects Office](http:\/\/www.mrpo.hku.hk\/?lang=en \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Graduate School](http:\/\/www.gradsch.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Knowledge Exchange Office](http:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Technology Transfer Office](http:\/\/www.tto.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Techno-Entrepreneurship Core](https:\/\/tec.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Processing Offices for Agreements](https:\/\/intraweb.hku.hk\/local\/rss\/agreement-processing-offices.htm \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Knowledge Exchange](http:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Knowledge Exchange](http:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - KE Strategy and Resources\n  - [HKU KE Strategy](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/about-ke\/hku-ke-strategy \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Community Engagement](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/community-engagement\/far-and-wide \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Partnerships](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/partnerships\/partnership-opportunities \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Entrepreneurship](https:\/\/tec.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [HKU Technologies](https:\/\/www.versitech.hku.hk\/technology\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Find a Research Collaborator](http:\/\/hub.hku.hk\/search\/search.jsp?type=interests&sort_by=bi_sort_1_sort&location=dspacebasic \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Find a Thesis Supervisor](http:\/\/hub.hku.hk\/search\/search.jsp?type=supervision&sort_by=bi_sort_1_sort&location=dspacebasic \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Find a Media Contact](http:\/\/hub.hku.hk\/search\/search.jsp?type=media&sort_by=bi_sort_1_sort&location=dspacebasic \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - Support Offices\n  - [Knowledge Exchange Office](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/about-ke\/ke-office \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Technology Transfer Office](http:\/\/www.tto.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - Highlights\n  - [Impact Cases](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/story\/impact \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Innovation Showcase](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/story\/innovation \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Global KE](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/story\/global \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [KE Spotlight](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/spotlight \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [KE Stories and Videos](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/story\/all\/page \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Honours and Awards](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/research-impact\/honours-and-awards \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - Useful Links\n  - [HKU Scholars Hub](http:\/\/hub.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [HKU KE Websites](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/community-engagement\/knowledge-links \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Versitech Limited](https:\/\/www.versitech.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Techno-Entrepreneurship Core](https:\/\/tec.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [University Grants Committee: Knowledge Transfer](https:\/\/www.ugc.edu.hk\/eng\/ugc\/activity\/knowledge.html \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Faculties & Departments](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/faculties)\n  - [Faculties & Departments](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/faculties)\n  - [All Departments (A-Z)](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/faculties\/)\n  - [Faculty of Architecture](http:\/\/fac.arch.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Faculty of Arts](http:\/\/arts.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Faculty of Business and Economics (HKU Business School)](https:\/\/www.hkubs.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Faculty of Dentistry](https:\/\/facdent.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Faculty of Education](http:\/\/web.edu.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Faculty of Engineering](http:\/\/engg.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Faculty of Law](http:\/\/www.law.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine](https:\/\/www.med.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Faculty of Science](http:\/\/www.scifac.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Faculty of Social Sciences](http:\/\/www.socsc.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Graduate School](https:\/\/gradsch.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Libraries](http:\/\/lib.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [HKU Portal](http:\/\/hkuportal.hku.hk\/)\n- [Prospective Students](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/prospective-students)\n  - [Prospective Students](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/prospective-students)\n  - [Undergraduate Studies](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/prospective-students\/)\n    - [Full-time undergraduates](https:\/\/admissions.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Exchange students](http:\/\/www.aal.hku.hk\/studyabroad \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Visiting students](https:\/\/aal.hku.hk\/studyabroad\/index.php?type=incoming \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Summer Institute](https:\/\/summerinstitute.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Scholarships](https:\/\/aas.hku.hk\/scholarship-opportunities\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Information Day (Undergraduate Admissions)](https:\/\/www.infoday.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Taught Postgraduate Studies](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/prospective-students\/)\n    - [Taught Postgraduate Curricula](https:\/\/aal.hku.hk\/tpg\/programme-information \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Admissions](https:\/\/aal.hku.hk\/tpg\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Scholarships](https:\/\/aas.hku.hk\/scholarship-opportunities\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Student life](https:\/\/www.studentlife.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Research Postgraduate Studies](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/prospective-students\/)\n    - [Useful information](https:\/\/gradsch.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Admissions](https:\/\/gradsch.hku.hk\/prospective_students\/application\/how_to_apply \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Scholarships](https:\/\/aas.hku.hk\/scholarship-opportunities\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Student life](https:\/\/www.studentlife.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Current Students](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/current-students)\n  - [Current Students](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/current-students)\n  - [Undergraduate Studies](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/current-students\/)\n    - [Teaching and Learning](http:\/\/tl.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Academic Advising](http:\/\/aao.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Learning Opportunities Beyond Hong Kong](https:\/\/tl.hku.hk\/horizons\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Degrees and Regulations](http:\/\/www4.hku.hk\/pubunit\/drcd\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Dates of Semesters](http:\/\/www.ase.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Calendar](https:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/publications\/calendar-semesters.pdf \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Undergraduate Curriculum](https:\/\/aao.hku.hk\/ug-cur\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Undergraduate Handbook](http:\/\/www.handbook.hku.hk\/ug\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Common Core Curriculum](https:\/\/commoncore.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Study Abroad and Exchange](https:\/\/aal.hku.hk\/studyabroad\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Summer Institute](https:\/\/summerinstitute.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Scholarships](https:\/\/aas.hku.hk\/scholarship-opportunities\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Taught Postgraduate Studies](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/current-students\/)\n    - [Taught Postgraduate Curricula](https:\/\/aal.hku.hk\/tpg\/programme-information \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Postgraduate Handbook (Coursework Programmes)](http:\/\/www.asa.hku.hk\/handbook\/tpg \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Degrees and Regulations](http:\/\/www4.hku.hk\/pubunit\/drcd\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Schedule of Fees](http:\/\/www.ase.hku.hk\/fees\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Scholarships](https:\/\/aas.hku.hk\/scholarship-opportunities\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Research Postgraduate Studies](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/current-students\/)\n    - [Information for Current Students](https:\/\/gradsch.hku.hk\/current_students\/announcements \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Handbook for MPhil & PhD Programmes](https:\/\/rpghandbook.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Degrees and Regulations](http:\/\/www4.hku.hk\/pubunit\/drcd\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Schedule of Fees](http:\/\/www.ase.hku.hk\/fees\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Scholarships](https:\/\/aas.hku.hk\/scholarship-opportunities\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Co-curriculum](https:\/\/www.cedars.hku.hk\/co-curriculum \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Centre of Development and Resources for Students](https:\/\/www.cedars.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Student Life and Resources](https:\/\/www.studentlife.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [For Parents](http:\/\/wp.cedars.hku.hk\/web\/parents\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Staff](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff)\n  - [Staff](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff)\n  - [Human Resources](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/)\n    - [Human Resources of HKU](http:\/\/www.hr.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Careers](https:\/\/www.hr.hku.hk\/career_opportunities\/careers.html \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Staff Development & Training](http:\/\/www.hr.hku.hk\/staff_development\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Professors From Afar](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/others\/professors-from-afar.html)\n    - [Expats@HKU](https:\/\/www.hr.hku.hk\/Working@HKU.pdf \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Support Services](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/)\n    - [Teaching & Learning](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/)\n      - [Copyright](http:\/\/lib.hku.hk\/copyright\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n      - [Information & Communication Technologies](http:\/\/teli.hku.hk\/about-us\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Administrative](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/)\n      - [Bulk Email Submission](https:\/\/hkuportal.hku.hk\/portal\/servlet\/LoginPortal?appCode=REQMAIL \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n      - [Campus Navigator](http:\/\/www.maps.hku.hk\/index.php?lang=en \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n      - [HKU Standard Terminology](https:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/cpao\/terminology \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n      - [Name Card Production](https:\/\/hku.au1.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_3pxI93kYqkgZpid?Q \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n      - [The University of Hong Kong Visitor Centre](https:\/\/www.visitorcentre.hku.hk\/index.php?route=common\/home \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n      - [University Identity](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/uid\/introduction.html)\n    - [One-stop publicity solutions on hku.hk](http:\/\/www.hku.hk\/publicity\/)\n      - [Effective Promotion Tools](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/reserved3\/publicity\/6promotiontools.html)\n      - [HKU Content Management System (CMS)](https:\/\/hku.hk\/reserved3\/publicity\/hkucms.html)\n      - [Web Policies and Guidelines](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/reserved4\/policies-guidelines\/index.html)\n      - [Event Management System](https:\/\/hkuportal.hku.hk\/cas\/servlet\/edu.yale.its.tp.cas.servlet.Login?service=http:\/\/hkuems1.hku.hk\/hkuems\/ec_signon.aspx \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n      - [Photo Library](https:\/\/www4.hku.hk\/photos\/index.php\/stock \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Long Service Awards](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/lsa.html)\n    - [About](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/lsa\/index.html)\n    - [Ceremony](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/lsa\/presentation_ceremony.html)\n    - [Press Releases](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/lsa\/press_releases.html)\n    - [Photos](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/lsa\/photos.html)\n      - [2021 Photos](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/lsa\/photos\/2021.html)\n      - [2020 Photos](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/lsa\/photos\/2020.html)\n      - [2019 Photos](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/lsa\/photos\/2019.html)\n      - [2018 Photos](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/lsa\/photos\/2018.html)\n      - [2017 Photos](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/lsa\/photos\/2017.html)\n      - [2016 Photos](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/lsa\/photos\/2016.html)\n    - [Videos](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/lsa\/videos.html)\n  - [Useful Links](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/)\n  - Services for Staff\n  - [Support Services from Communications and Public Affairs Office](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html)\n    - [Press Conferences and Briefings](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m2)\n    - [Press Releases](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m3)\n    - [Submit a Story](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/reserved3\/webform\/story.php)\n    - [Giving Expert Opinion](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m4)\n    - [Daily Media Highlights](http:\/\/www4.hku.hk\/hkumh\/media_highlights\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Media Advice and Media Training](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m6)\n    - [Service Level](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m7)\n    - [Photo Library (For internal staff and students only)](http:\/\/www4.hku.hk\/photos\/index.php\/stock \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Alumni](https:\/\/www.alumni.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Media](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/hkumedia)\n  - [Media](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/hkumedia)\n  - Services for Media\n  - [News Centre](https:\/\/hku.hk\/press\/all\/)\n  - [Media Contact Directory (Find an Expert)](http:\/\/www4.hku.hk\/hkumcd\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [The HKU Scholars Hub (Find an Expert)](http:\/\/hub.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [HKU in the Media](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/hkumedia\/media\/)\n  - [Features](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/hkumedia#features)\n  - [Faculty & School News](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/press\/fs_news.html)\n  - [Multimedia](http:\/\/www.hku.hk\/multimedia\/)\n  - [HKU Standard Terminology](http:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/cpao\/terminology \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/hkumedia\/contact.html)\n  - Services for Staff\n  - [Support Services from Communications and Public Affairs Office](https:\/\/hku.hk\/reserved3\/staff\/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html)\n    - [Press Conferences and Briefings](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m2)\n    - [Press Releases](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m3)\n    - [Submit a Story](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/reserved3\/webform\/story.php)\n    - [Giving Expert Opinion](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m4)\n    - [Daily Media Highlights](http:\/\/www4.hku.hk\/hkumh\/media_highlights\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Media Advice and Media Training](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m6)\n    - [Service Level](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m7)\n    - [Photo Library (For internal staff and students only)](http:\/\/www4.hku.hk\/photos\/index.php\/stock \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Visitors](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/visitors)\n  - [Visitors](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/visitors)\n  - [About HKU](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/visitors\/)\n    - [About HKU](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/)\n    - [University Today](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/university-today\/today.html)\n    - [The Early Years](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/university-history\/the-early-years.html)\n    - [From Post-War to the New Millennium](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/university-history\/past.html)\n    - [Multimedia](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/multimedia\/)\n  - [Visiting Us](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/visitors\/)\n    - [Visit HKU](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/visit\/)\n    - [Visitor Centre](https:\/\/www.visitorcentre.hku.hk\/index.php?route=common\/home \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Heritage Buildings](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/visit\/heritage.php)\n    - [University Museum & Art Gallery](http:\/\/www.umag.hku.hk\/en\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Stephen Hui Geological Museum](http:\/\/www.earthsciences.hku.hk\/shmuseum\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole](http:\/\/www.jaotipe.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Souvenirs](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/visitors\/)\n    - [HKU Souvenirs](https:\/\/www.visitorcentre.hku.hk\/index.php?route=common\/home \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Museum Store](http:\/\/www.umag.hku.hk\/en\/shop.php?id=43185 \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Filming Requests](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/visitors\/)\n    - [Filming on HKU Campus](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/others\/filming\/)\n    - [Wedding Photography on HKU Campus](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/others\/weddingphotos.html)\n  - [Maps](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/visitors\/)\n    - [HKU Maps and Transportation](http:\/\/www.maps.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [HK Map](https:\/\/www.google.com.hk\/maps?ie=UTF8&hl=en \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Giving to HKU](http:\/\/www.giving.hku.hk\/en\/index.html \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Events](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event)\n  - [Events](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event)\n  - [Today's Events](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/today.html)\n  - [Upcoming Events](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/upcoming.html)\n  - By Category\n  - [Architecture & Engineering](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_A)\n  - [Business & Economics](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_B)\n  - [Culture and Arts](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_C)\n  - [Education](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_E)\n  - [Law and Politics](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_L)\n  - [Medical & Health Care](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_M)\n  - [Science & Technology](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_SC)\n  - [Social Development & Welfare](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_SO)\n  - [Sports and Recreation](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_SR)\n  - [Others](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_O)\n- [Publications](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/publications)\n  - [Publications](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/publications)\n  - [Academic Publications](http:\/\/hub.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [University Publications](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/publications\/)\n  - [Faculty\/Department\/Unit](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/publications\/faculty-department-unit.html)\n  - [Hong Kong University Press](https:\/\/hkupress.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.hr.hku.hk\/career_opportunities\/careers.html \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n\nWe regret to inform you that our website no longer supports Internet Explorer. To continue browsing the website, please consider using other browsers like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox or Safari.\n\nClose\n\n[Skip to content](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/press\/press-releases\/detail\/23740.html#content)\n\n[![The University of Hong Kong](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/assets\/img\/hku-115.svg?t=1760950144)](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/)\n\n- [About](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/)\n  - [Vision & Mission](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/vision.html)\n  - [Vision 2026-2035](https:\/\/vision2026-2035.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [University Governance](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/governance.html)\n  - [Profile Indicators](https:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/firstandforemost\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [University History](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/university-history\/the-early-years.html)\n  - [University Today](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/university-today\/today.html)\n  - [University Publications](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/publications\/)\n  - [Info for Students](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/current-students\/)\n  - [Info for Staff](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/)\n  - [University Identity](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/uid\/introduction.html)\n  - [Officers of the University](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/officers.html)\n  - [Policies](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/policies_reports.html)\n  - [President's Office](https:\/\/presidentoffice.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Teaching & Learning](http:\/\/tl.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Teaching and Learning at HKU](http:\/\/tl.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Undergraduate Admissions](https:\/\/admissions.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Taught Postgraduate Admissions](https:\/\/admissions.hku.hk\/tpg\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Research Postgraduate Admissions](https:\/\/gradsch.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - Useful Links\n    - [HKU Online Learning (MOOCs)](http:\/\/online.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Academic Advising and Scholarships Office (AASO)](https:\/\/aas.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Common Core](http:\/\/tl.hku.hk\/common-core-curriculum\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Gallant Ho Experiential Learning Centre (GHELC)](http:\/\/ghelc.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Horizons Office](http:\/\/tl.hku.hk\/horizons\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC)](https:\/\/talic.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Research](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/)\n  - Research Strengths\n    - [Areas of Excellence](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/areas_excellence.html)\n    - [Theme-based Research](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/theme_based.html)\n    - [Strategic Topics Grant](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/stg.html)\n    - [State Key Laboratories and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratories](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/state-key-labs-cas-hku-joint-labs.html)\n    - [InnoHK Research Laboratories](https:\/\/www.hkuinno.com.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - Strategies and Governance\n    - [Direction and Strategies](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/direction_strategies.html)\n    - [Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)](https:\/\/www.presidentsoffice.hku.hk\/leadership\/professor-stephanie-ma \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [University Research Committee](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/urc.html)\n    - [Research Integrity](https:\/\/www.rss.hku.hk\/integrity \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - Impact and Innovation\n    - [Research Impact Cases](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/story\/impact \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Innovation Showcase](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/story\/innovation \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - People\n    - [Our Researchers](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/our-researchers.html)\n    - [Expertise and Collaboration](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/expertise-collaborate.html)\n    - [HKU Scholars Hub](http:\/\/hub.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - Centres and Institutes\n    - [Chinese Mainland Research Institutes](http:\/\/www.mrpo.hku.hk\/about-us\/hku-shenzhen-institute-of-research-and-innovation-hku-siri?lang=en \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Research Centres and Institutes](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/centres_institutes.html)\n  - News and Highlights\n    - [Latest Research News](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/news.html)\n    - [Research Highlights](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/video\/)\n    - [HKU Research Stories](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/research\/hku-research-stories.html)\n    - [Facts and Figures](https:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/firstandforemost\/research \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Honours and Awards](https:\/\/academicdevelopment.hku.hk\/awards-recognition\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - Support Offices\n    - [Research Services](https:\/\/www.rss.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Mainland Research Projects Office](http:\/\/www.mrpo.hku.hk\/?lang=en \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Graduate School](http:\/\/www.gradsch.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Knowledge Exchange Office](http:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Technology Transfer Office](http:\/\/www.tto.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Techno-Entrepreneurship Core](https:\/\/tec.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Processing Offices for Agreements](https:\/\/intraweb.hku.hk\/local\/rss\/agreement-processing-offices.htm \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Knowledge Exchange](http:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - KE Strategy and Resources\n    - [HKU KE Strategy](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/about-ke\/hku-ke-strategy \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Community Engagement](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/community-engagement\/far-and-wide \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Partnerships](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/partnerships\/partnership-opportunities \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Entrepreneurship](https:\/\/tec.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [HKU Technologies](https:\/\/www.versitech.hku.hk\/technology\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Find a Research Collaborator](http:\/\/hub.hku.hk\/search\/search.jsp?type=interests&sort_by=bi_sort_1_sort&location=dspacebasic \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Find a Thesis Supervisor](http:\/\/hub.hku.hk\/search\/search.jsp?type=supervision&sort_by=bi_sort_1_sort&location=dspacebasic \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Find a Media Contact](http:\/\/hub.hku.hk\/search\/search.jsp?type=media&sort_by=bi_sort_1_sort&location=dspacebasic \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - Support Offices\n    - [Knowledge Exchange Office](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/about-ke\/ke-office \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Technology Transfer Office](http:\/\/www.tto.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - Highlights\n    - [Impact Cases](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/story\/impact \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Innovation Showcase](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/story\/innovation \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Global KE](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/story\/global \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [KE Spotlight](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/spotlight \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [KE Stories and Videos](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/story\/all\/page \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Honours and Awards](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/research-impact\/honours-and-awards \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - Useful Links\n    - [HKU Scholars Hub](http:\/\/hub.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [HKU KE Websites](https:\/\/www.ke.hku.hk\/community-engagement\/knowledge-links \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Versitech Limited](https:\/\/www.versitech.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Techno-Entrepreneurship Core](https:\/\/tec.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [University Grants Committee: Knowledge Transfer](https:\/\/www.ugc.edu.hk\/eng\/ugc\/activity\/knowledge.html \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Faculties & Departments](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/faculties\/)\n  - [All Departments (A-Z)](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/faculties\/)\n  - [Faculty of Architecture](http:\/\/fac.arch.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Faculty of Arts](http:\/\/arts.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Faculty of Business and Economics (HKU Business School)](https:\/\/www.hkubs.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Faculty of Dentistry](https:\/\/facdent.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Faculty of Education](http:\/\/web.edu.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Faculty of Engineering](http:\/\/engg.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Faculty of Law](http:\/\/www.law.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine](https:\/\/www.med.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Faculty of Science](http:\/\/www.scifac.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Faculty of Social Sciences](http:\/\/www.socsc.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Graduate School](https:\/\/gradsch.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Libraries](http:\/\/lib.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Portal](http:\/\/hkuportal.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n\nMore \\>\n\n- [Prospective Students](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/prospective-students\/)\n  Toggle Submenu\n  - [Undergraduate Studies](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/prospective-students\/)\n  - [Taught Postgraduate Studies](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/prospective-students\/)\n  - [Research Postgraduate Studies](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/prospective-students\/)\n- [Current Students](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/current-students\/)\n  Toggle Submenu\n  - [Undergraduate Studies](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/current-students\/)\n  - [Taught Postgraduate Studies](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/current-students\/)\n  - [Research Postgraduate Studies](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/current-students\/)\n  - [Co-curriculum](https:\/\/www.cedars.hku.hk\/co-curriculum \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Centre of Development and Resources for Students](https:\/\/www.cedars.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Student Life and Resources](https:\/\/www.studentlife.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [For Parents](http:\/\/wp.cedars.hku.hk\/web\/parents\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Staff](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/)\n  Toggle Submenu\n  - [Human Resources](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/)\n    Toggle Submenu\n    - [Human Resources of HKU](http:\/\/www.hr.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Careers](https:\/\/www.hr.hku.hk\/career_opportunities\/careers.html \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Staff Development & Training](http:\/\/www.hr.hku.hk\/staff_development\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Professors From Afar](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/others\/professors-from-afar.html)\n    - [Expats@HKU](https:\/\/www.hr.hku.hk\/Working@HKU.pdf \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Support Services](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/)\n    Toggle Submenu\n    - [Teaching & Learning](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/)\n    - [Administrative](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/)\n    - [One-stop publicity solutions on hku.hk](http:\/\/www.hku.hk\/publicity\/)\n  - [Long Service Awards](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/lsa.html)\n    Toggle Submenu\n    - [About](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/lsa\/index.html)\n    - [Ceremony](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/lsa\/presentation_ceremony.html)\n    - [Press Releases](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/lsa\/press_releases.html)\n    - [Photos](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/lsa\/photos.html)\n    - [Videos](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/lsa\/videos.html)\n  - [Useful Links](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/)\n  - Services for Staff\n    Toggle Submenu\n    - [Support Services from Communications and Public Affairs Office](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/staff\/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html)\n- [Alumni](https:\/\/www.alumni.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Media](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/hkumedia\/)\n  Toggle Submenu\n  - Services for Media\n    Toggle Submenu\n    - [News Centre](https:\/\/hku.hk\/press\/all\/)\n    - [Media Contact Directory (Find an Expert)](http:\/\/www4.hku.hk\/hkumcd\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [The HKU Scholars Hub (Find an Expert)](http:\/\/hub.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [HKU in the Media](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/hkumedia\/media\/)\n    - [Features](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/hkumedia#features)\n    - [Faculty & School News](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/press\/fs_news.html)\n    - [Multimedia](http:\/\/www.hku.hk\/multimedia\/)\n    - [HKU Standard Terminology](http:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/cpao\/terminology \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n    - [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/hkumedia\/contact.html)\n  - Services for Staff\n    Toggle Submenu\n    - [Support Services from Communications and Public Affairs Office](https:\/\/hku.hk\/reserved3\/staff\/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html)\n- [Visitors](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/visitors\/)\n  Toggle Submenu\n  - [About HKU](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/visitors\/)\n  - [Visiting Us](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/visitors\/)\n  - [Souvenirs](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/visitors\/)\n  - [Filming Requests](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/visitors\/)\n  - [Maps](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/visitors\/)\n- [Giving to HKU](https:\/\/www.giving.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Events](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/)\n  Toggle Submenu\n  - [Today's Events](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/today.html)\n  - [Upcoming Events](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/upcoming.html)\n  - By Category\n    Toggle Submenu\n    - [Architecture & Engineering](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_A)\n    - [Business & Economics](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_B)\n    - [Culture and Arts](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_C)\n    - [Education](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_E)\n    - [Law and Politics](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_L)\n    - [Medical & Health Care](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_M)\n    - [Science & Technology](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_SC)\n    - [Social Development & Welfare](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_SO)\n    - [Sports and Recreation](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_SR)\n    - [Others](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/event\/category.html#category_O)\n- [Publications](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/publications\/)\n  Toggle Submenu\n  - [Academic Publications](http:\/\/hub.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [University Publications](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/publications\/)\n  - [Faculty\/Department\/Unit](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/publications\/faculty-department-unit.html)\n  - [Hong Kong University Press](https:\/\/hkupress.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.hr.hku.hk\/career_opportunities\/careers.html \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n\n[中文](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/press\/press-releases\/detail\/c_23740.html)\n\nToggle search panel\n\n[Toggle menu panel]()\n\n# Media\n[Home](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/) \\> [Media](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/hkumedia) \\> [Press Releases](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/press\/press-releases\/2021\/12\/) \\> HKU microbiologists find that two doses of BNT162b2 (BioNTech ) or Coronavac (Sinovac) vaccines are inadequate against Omicron virus variants\n\nMenu\n\n- Services for Media\n  - [News Centre](https:\/\/hku.hk\/press\/all\/)\n  - [Media Contact Directory (Find an Expert)](http:\/\/www4.hku.hk\/hkumcd\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [The HKU Scholars Hub (Find an Expert)](http:\/\/hub.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [HKU in the Media](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/hkumedia\/media\/)\n  - [Features](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/hkumedia#features)\n  - [Faculty & School News](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/press\/fs_news.html)\n  - [Multimedia](http:\/\/www.hku.hk\/multimedia\/)\n  - [HKU Standard Terminology](http:\/\/www.cpao.hku.hk\/cpao\/terminology \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n  - [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/hkumedia\/contact.html)\n- Services for Staff\n  - [Support Services from Communications and Public Affairs Office](https:\/\/hku.hk\/reserved3\/staff\/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html)\n\n[Print]() [Copy Text]()\n\n- [All News](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/press\/all\/)\n- [Press Releases](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/press\/press-releases\/)\n- [Press Invitations](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/press\/press-invitations\/)\n- [Clarification](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/press\/clarification\/)\n\n- [Back to Media Home](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/hkumedia\/)\n\n[Back](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/press\/press-releases\/2021\/12\/)\n\n## HKU microbiologists find that two doses of BNT162b2 (BioNTech ) or Coronavac (Sinovac) vaccines are inadequate against Omicron virus variants\n14 Dec 2021\n\n[Download All Photos](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/f\/news\/23740\/download.zip \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n\nPrevious\n\n[![Cells are protected from killing by Ancestral SARS-CoV-2 after addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/f\/news\/23740\/826p376\/Photo%201@750.jpg)](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/f\/news\/23740\/900p600\/Photo%201.jpg \"Cells are protected from killing by Ancestral SARS-CoV-2 after addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.\")\n\nCells are protected from killing by Ancestral SARS-CoV-2 after addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.\n\n[![Cells are NOT protected from killing by Omicron virus despite addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/f\/news\/23740\/826p376\/Photo%202@750.jpg)](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/f\/news\/23740\/900p600\/Photo%202.jpg \"Cells are NOT protected from killing by Omicron virus despite addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.\")\n\nCells are NOT protected from killing by Omicron virus despite addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.\n\n[![Cells are protected from killing by Ancestral SARS-CoV-2 after addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/f\/news\/23740\/826p376\/Photo%201@750.jpg)](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/f\/news\/23740\/900p600\/Photo%201.jpg \"Cells are protected from killing by Ancestral SARS-CoV-2 after addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.\")\n\nCells are protected from killing by Ancestral SARS-CoV-2 after addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.\n\n[![Cells are NOT protected from killing by Omicron virus despite addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/f\/news\/23740\/826p376\/Photo%202@750.jpg)](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/f\/news\/23740\/900p600\/Photo%202.jpg \"Cells are NOT protected from killing by Omicron virus despite addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.\")\n\nCells are NOT protected from killing by Omicron virus despite addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.\n\nNext\n\n- 1 \/ 2\n- 2 \/ 2\n\n[Play \/ Stop the slider]()\n\n[Hide caption]() [Show caption]()\n\nResearchers at the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) have found that most individuals after given two doses of the vaccine (either BioNtech or Coronavac) do not produce sufficient levels of serum antibodies against the new Omicron virus variant. The public is advised to get a third dose of the vaccine as soon as possible while awaiting for the next generation of more matched vaccine. The results of the study have been accepted for publication in the medical journal *Clinical Infectious Diseases*. It is available online as a preprint.\n\n**Background**  \n The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, first identified in November 2021, is spreading worldwide. This variant is particularly worrisome due to the large number of mutations in the virus that could affect infectivity or vaccine efficacy. To assess the effectiveness of existing COVID-19 vaccines in Hong Kong against this novel variant, researchers at the Department of Microbiology tested the ability of serum samples from fully vaccinated recipients to neutralize this variant. Serum neutralizing antibody titers are currently the only easily reproducible surrogate marker of protection against COVID-19.\n\n**Research findings**  \n To test the ability of vaccine recipients' serum antibodies to neutralize the Omicron variant, the team used sera from two groups of vaccine recipients who have received two doses of BNT162b2 (BioNtech) or Coronavac. Each group consists of 25 people.\n\nThe study aims to more fully evaluate the health risk of the Omicron variant to the Hong Kong population and the need for a universal third dose.\n\nTwo Omicron variants present in Hong Kong were tested, one from South Africa and the other from Nigeria (with the additional R346K mutation). The ability of serum antibodies to neutralize the Alpha, Beta, and Delta strains was also tested as a control.\n\nOnly five out of 25 Biontech vaccine recipients had neutralizing ability against the Omicron variant virus, and the vaccine efficiency was significantly reduced to 20 - 24%. Compared to the original SARS-CoV-2 strain, the titer of neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant has decreased by 36 - 40 fold.\n\nNone of the serum of the 25 Coronavac vaccine recipients contain sufficient antibody to neutralize the Omicron variant at the limit of 1 in 10 dilution.\n\n**Implications of the study**  \n 1. The Omicron variant virus was able to reduce the effectiveness of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, particularly against Coronavac. Therefore, COVID-19 vaccine recipients or even those recovered COVID-19 patients may be at a higher risk of breakthrough or reinfection. Our findings suggest that the design of the next generation of COVID-19 vaccine should consider sufficient coverage against this novel viral variant.\n\n2\\. A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine is needed to enhance the antibody response against the Omicron variant.\n\n3\\. Whether a third dose of the present Coronavac vaccine will enhance the neutralizing antibody response against the Omicron variant remains to be determined.\n\n*About the Research Team*  \n **Kwok-Yung Yuen**, Henry Fok Professor of Infectious Diseases, Chair Professor of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, and Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Director of the State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong  \n **Kelvin To**, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology  \n **Honglin Chen**, Professor, Department of Microbiology\n\nThis research is funded by the Health and Medical Research Fund, the Food and Health Bureau, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.\n\nThe preprint of the study \"Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant by sera from BNT162b2 or Coronavac vaccine recipients\" is posted at:   \n <https:\/\/medrxiv.org\/cgi\/content\/short\/2021.12.13.21267668v1>\n\nA portable graphical link to the paper (QR code) can be obtained here: <https:\/\/connect.medrxiv.org\/qr\/2021.12.13.21267668>.   \n   \n Media enquiries:  \n Communications and Public Affairs Office, The University of Hong Kong  \n Rashida Suffiad (Tel: 2857 8555, Email: rsuffiad@hku.hk)  \n Melanie Wan (Tel: 2859 2600, Email: melwkwan@hku.hk)\n\n[Top](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/press\/press-releases\/detail\/23740.html#top)\n\n- [![Facebook](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/assets\/img\/svg\/icon_fb.svg)Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/hkuofficial \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [![HKU IOS App](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/assets\/img\/svg\/icon_ios.svg)HKU IOS App](https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/app\/the-university-of-hong-kong\/id552371085?mt=8 \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [![HKU Android App](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/assets\/img\/svg\/icon_android.svg)HKU Android App](https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=hk.hku.its.hkuapp&hl=en&gl=US)\n- [![Social Media and Apps](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/assets\/img\/svg\/icon_more.svg)Social Media and Apps](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/multimedia\/faculties-and-departments\/)\n\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.hr.hku.hk\/career_opportunities\/careers.html \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [High Contrast](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/press\/press-releases\/detail\/23740.html \"Change to High Colour Contrast Version\") [Normal Contrast](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/press\/press-releases\/detail\/23740.html \"Change to Normal Colour Contrast Version\")\n- [Maps & Facilities](http:\/\/www.maps.hku.hk\/ \"This link will pop up in a new window\")\n- [Web Policies & Guidelines](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/policies-guidelines\/)\n\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/contact\/)\n- [Site Map](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/sitemap.html)\n- [Privacy](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/about\/policies_reports\/privacy_policy.html)\n- [Web Accessibility Statement](https:\/\/www.hku.hk\/web-accessibility\/)\n\nCopyright © 2025 The University of Hong Kong. All Rights Reserved.\n\n[Top]()","attrs_readable_markdown":null,"meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

21 days ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0.7 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property	Value
URL	https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/detail/23740.html
Last Crawled	2026-03-19 14:46:51 (21 days ago)
First Indexed	2021-12-14 19:22:26 (4 years ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	HKU microbiologists find that two doses of BNT162b2 (BioNTech ) or Coronavac (Sinovac) vaccines are inadequate against Omicron virus variants - Press Releases - Media - HKU
Meta Description	null
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	Researchers at the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) have found that most individuals after given two doses of the vaccine (either BioNtech or Coronavac) do not produce sufficient levels of serum antibodies against the new Omicron virus variant. The public is advised to get a third dose of the vaccine as soon as possible while awaiting for the next generation of more matched vaccine. The results of the study have been accepted for publication in the medical journal Clinical Infectious Diseases . It is available online as a preprint. Background The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, first identified in November 2021, is spreading worldwide. This variant is particularly worrisome due to the large number of mutations in the virus that could affect infectivity or vaccine efficacy. To assess the effectiveness of existing COVID-19 vaccines in Hong Kong against this novel variant, researchers at the Department of Microbiology tested the ability of serum samples from fully vaccinated recipients to neutralize this variant. Serum neutralizing antibody titers are currently the only easily reproducible surrogate marker of protection against COVID-19. Research findings To test the ability of vaccine recipients' serum antibodies to neutralize the Omicron variant, the team used sera from two groups of vaccine recipients who have received two doses of BNT162b2 (BioNtech) or Coronavac. Each group consists of 25 people. The study aims to more fully evaluate the health risk of the Omicron variant to the Hong Kong population and the need for a universal third dose. Two Omicron variants present in Hong Kong were tested, one from South Africa and the other from Nigeria (with the additional R346K mutation). The ability of serum antibodies to neutralize the Alpha, Beta, and Delta strains was also tested as a control. Only five out of 25 Biontech vaccine recipients had neutralizing ability against the Omicron variant virus, and the vaccine efficiency was significantly reduced to 20 - 24%. Compared to the original SARS-CoV-2 strain, the titer of neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant has decreased by 36 - 40 fold. None of the serum of the 25 Coronavac vaccine recipients contain sufficient antibody to neutralize the Omicron variant at the limit of 1 in 10 dilution. Implications of the study 1. The Omicron variant virus was able to reduce the effectiveness of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, particularly against Coronavac. Therefore, COVID-19 vaccine recipients or even those recovered COVID-19 patients may be at a higher risk of breakthrough or reinfection. Our findings suggest that the design of the next generation of COVID-19 vaccine should consider sufficient coverage against this novel viral variant. 2. A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine is needed to enhance the antibody response against the Omicron variant. 3. Whether a third dose of the present Coronavac vaccine will enhance the neutralizing antibody response against the Omicron variant remains to be determined. About the Research Team Kwok-Yung Yuen , Henry Fok Professor of Infectious Diseases, Chair Professor of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, and Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Director of the State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong Kelvin To , Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology Honglin Chen , Professor, Department of Microbiology This research is funded by the Health and Medical Research Fund, the Food and Health Bureau, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The preprint of the study "Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant by sera from BNT162b2 or Coronavac vaccine recipients" is posted at: https://medrxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2021.12.13.21267668v1 A portable graphical link to the paper (QR code) can be obtained here: https://connect.medrxiv.org/qr/2021.12.13.21267668 . Media enquiries: Communications and Public Affairs Office, The University of Hong Kong Rashida Suffiad (Tel: 2857 8555, Email: rsuffiad@hku.hk) Melanie Wan (Tel: 2859 2600, Email: melwkwan@hku.hk)
Markdown	- [About](https://www.hku.hk/about) - [About](https://www.hku.hk/about) - [Vision & Mission](https://www.hku.hk/about/vision.html) - [Vision 2026-2035](https://vision2026-2035.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [University Governance](https://www.hku.hk/about/governance.html) - [Ordinance](https://calendar.hku.hk/university-ordinance-and-statutes/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Statutes](https://calendar.hku.hk/university-ordinance-and-statutes/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Fit for Purpose Report 2003](https://www.hku.hk/about/governance/purpose_report.html) - [Governance Structure](https://www.hku.hk/about/governance/governance_structure.html) - [The Court](https://hku.hk/about/governance/governance_structure.html#court) - [The Council](https://www.hku.hk/about/governance/governance_structure.html#council) - [The Senate](https://www.hku.hk/about/governance/governance_structure.html#senate) - [Profile Indicators](https://www.cpao.hku.hk/firstandforemost/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Student Admission](https://www.cpao.hku.hk/firstandforemost/admission "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Student Diversity & Internationalisation](https://www.cpao.hku.hk/firstandforemost/internationalisation "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Graduate Employment](https://www.cpao.hku.hk/firstandforemost/graduate_employment "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Teaching & Learning](https://www.cpao.hku.hk/firstandforemost/teaching_learning "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Research](https://www.cpao.hku.hk/firstandforemost/research "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Innovations & Knowledge Exchange](https://www.cpao.hku.hk/firstandforemost/innovation "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Donations](https://www.cpao.hku.hk/firstandforemost/donations "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Institutional Reputation & Global Presence](https://www.cpao.hku.hk/firstandforemost/rankings "This link will pop up in a new window") - [University History](https://www.hku.hk/about/university-history/the-early-years.html) - [The Early Years](https://www.hku.hk/about/university-history/the-early-years.html) - [From Post-War to the New Millennium](https://www.hku.hk/about/university-history/past.html) - [Sun Yat-sen and HKU](http://100.hku.hk/sunyatsen/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [University Today](https://www.hku.hk/about/university-today/today.html) - [University Today](https://www.hku.hk/about/university-today/today.html) - [International and Mainland Collaboration](https://www.hku.hk/about/university-today/international.html) - [Research Excellence](https://www.hku.hk/about/university-today/research.html) - [Finance & Funding](https://www.hku.hk/about/university-today/finance.html) - [University Publications](https://www.hku.hk/publications/) - [Bulletin](https://bulletin.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Calendar](https://calendar.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Convocation Newsletter](https://www.alumni.hku.hk/newsletter "This link will pop up in a new window") - [First and Foremost](https://www.cpao.hku.hk/firstandforemost/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [QuickStats](https://www.cpao.hku.hk/qstats/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Annual Report](https://annualreport.hku.hk/2022/index.html "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Info for Students](https://www.hku.hk/current-students/) - [Info for Staff](https://www.hku.hk/staff/) - [University Identity](https://www.hku.hk/about/uid/introduction.html) - [Introduction](https://www.hku.hk/about/uid/introduction.html) - [Policies & Guidelines](https://www.hku.hk/about/uid/policies.html) - [Background](https://www.hku.hk/about/uid/background.html) - [Basic Specifications](https://www.hku.hk/about/uid/basic.html) - [HKU Shield and Wordmark Download](https://www.hku.hk/about/uid/download.html) - [Brand Guidelines Download](https://www.hku.hk/about/uid/brandguidelines.html) - [Officers of the University](https://www.hku.hk/about/officers.html) - [Chancellor](https://www.hku.hk/about/officers.html#chancellor) - [Pro-Chancellor](https://www.hku.hk/about/officers.html#pro-chancellor) - [President and Vice-Chancellor](https://www.hku.hk/about/officers.html#president-and-vice-chancellor) - [Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor](https://www.hku.hk/about/officers.html#deouty-vice-chancellor-and-provost) - [Executive Vice-President (Administration and Finance)](https://www.hku.hk/about/officers.html#Executive-Vice-President-Administration-and-Finance) - [Vice-Presidents and Pro-Vice-Chancellors](https://www.hku.hk/about/officers.html#pro-vice-chancellors-and-vice-presidents) - [Treasurer](https://www.hku.hk/about/officers.html#treasurer) - [Deans of Faculties](https://www.hku.hk/about/officers.html#deans-of-faculties) - [Dean of Student Affairs](https://www.hku.hk/about/officers.html#dean-of-student-affairs) - [Registrar](https://www.hku.hk/about/officers.html#registrar) - [Director of Finance](https://www.hku.hk/about/officers.html#director-of-finance) - [Chief Information Officer and University Librarian](https://www.hku.hk/about/officers.html#librarian) - [Director of Estates](https://www.hku.hk/about/officers.html#director-of-estates) - [Policies](https://www.hku.hk/about/policies_reports.html) - [President's Office](https://presidentoffice.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Teaching & Learning](http://tl.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Teaching & Learning](http://tl.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Teaching and Learning at HKU](http://tl.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Undergraduate Admissions](https://admissions.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Taught Postgraduate Admissions](https://admissions.hku.hk/tpg/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Research Postgraduate Admissions](https://gradsch.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - Useful Links - [HKU Online Learning (MOOCs)](http://online.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Academic Advising and Scholarships Office (AASO)](https://aas.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Common Core](http://tl.hku.hk/common-core-curriculum/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Gallant Ho Experiential Learning Centre (GHELC)](http://ghelc.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Horizons Office](http://tl.hku.hk/horizons/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC)](https://talic.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Research](https://www.hku.hk/research) - [Research](https://www.hku.hk/research) - Research Strengths - [Areas of Excellence](https://www.hku.hk/research/areas_excellence.html) - [Areas of Excellence (AoE) Scheme](https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/aoe/index.html "This link will pop up in a new window") - [AoE application information (for HKU members)](http://www.rss.hku.hk/fund/aoe "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Theme-based Research](https://www.hku.hk/research/theme_based.html) - [Theme-based Research Scheme (TRS)](https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/trs/index.html "This link will pop up in a new window") - [TRS application information (for HKU members)](http://www.rss.hku.hk/fund/tbrs "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Strategic Topics Grant](https://www.hku.hk/research/stg.html) - [Strategic Topics Grant (STG)](https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/stg/index.html "This link will pop up in a new window") - [STG application information (for HKU members)](https://www.rss.hku.hk/fund/stg "This link will pop up in a new window") - [State Key Laboratories and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratories](https://www.hku.hk/research/state-key-labs-cas-hku-joint-labs.html) - [State Ministry of Science and Technology](http://www.most.gov.cn/eng/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [SKL application information (for HKU members)](http://www.rss.hku.hk/fund/skl "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Chinese Academy of Sciences](http://english.cas.cn/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [InnoHK Research Laboratories](https://www.hkuinno.com.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - Strategies and Governance - [Direction and Strategies](https://www.hku.hk/research/direction_strategies.html) - [Vision 2026-2035](https://vision2026-2035.hku.hk/index.html "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)](https://www.presidentsoffice.hku.hk/leadership/professor-stephanie-ma "This link will pop up in a new window") - [University Research Committee](https://www.hku.hk/research/urc.html) - [Chinese Mainland Research Institutes: HKU-ZIRI and HKU-SIRI](http://www.mrpo.hku.hk/about-us/hku-shenzhen-institute-of-research-and-innovation-hku-siri?lang=en "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Research Services](https://www.rss.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Mainland Research Projects Office](http://www.mrpo.hku.hk/?lang=en "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Graduate School](http://www.gradsch.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Knowledge Exchange Office](http://www.ke.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Technology Transfer Office/Versitech Ltd.](http://www.tto.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Techno-Entrepreneurship Core](https://tec.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)](https://www.presidentsoffice.hku.hk/leadership/professor-stephanie-ma "This link will pop up in a new window") - [University Research Committee](https://www.hku.hk/research/urc.html) - [Direction and Strategies](https://www.hku.hk/research/direction_strategies.html) - [Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)](https://www.presidentsoffice.hku.hk/leadership/professor-stephanie-ma "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Research Integrity](https://www.rss.hku.hk/integrity "This link will pop up in a new window") - Impact and Innovation - [Research Impact Cases](https://www.ke.hku.hk/story/impact "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Innovation Showcase](https://www.ke.hku.hk/story/innovation "This link will pop up in a new window") - People - [Our Researchers](https://www.hku.hk/research/our-researchers.html) - [Staff Profiles](http://www.cpao.hku.hk/qstats/staff-profiles "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Academicians at HKU](https://academicdevelopment.hku.hk/awards-recognition/hku-recipients-of-awards-honours/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Honours and Awards](https://academicdevelopment.hku.hk/awards-recognition/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Expertise and Collaboration](https://www.hku.hk/research/expertise-collaborate.html) - [HKU Scholars Hub](http://hub.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Find an Expert](http://www4.hku.hk/hkumcd/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Knowledge Exchange](http://www.ke.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Technology Transfer](http://www.tto.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Industry Collaborative Research Opportunities](http://www.rss.hku.hk/contracts/collaborative-opportunities "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculties and Departments](https://www.hku.hk/faculties/) - [Research Centres and Institutes](https://www.hku.hk/research/centres_institutes.html) - [HKU Scholars Hub](http://hub.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - Centres and Institutes - [Chinese Mainland Research Institutes](http://www.mrpo.hku.hk/about-us/hku-shenzhen-institute-of-research-and-innovation-hku-siri?lang=en "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Research Centres and Institutes](https://www.hku.hk/research/centres_institutes.html) - News and Highlights - [Latest Research News](https://www.hku.hk/research/news.html) - [HKU Media](https://www.hku.hk/hkumedia/) - [Faculty of Architecture](http://www.arch.hku.hk/about/news/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Arts](http://arts.hku.hk/news "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Business and Economics (HKU Business School)](https://www.hkubs.hku.hk/media/school-news/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Dentistry](http://facdent.hku.hk/news-and-events/news-and-press-release.html "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Education](http://web.edu.hku.hk/media "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Engineering](http://engg.hku.hk/home/news.htm "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Law](https://www.law.hku.hk/press-releases/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine](https://www.med.hku.hk/en/News "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Science](https://www.scifac.hku.hk/news "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Social Sciences](http://www.socsc.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Research Highlights](https://www.hku.hk/research/video/) - [HKU Research Stories](https://www.hku.hk/research/hku-research-stories.html) - [Latest Research News](https://www.hku.hk/research/news.html) - [Research Highlights](https://www.hku.hk/research/video/) - [Facts and Figures](https://www.cpao.hku.hk/firstandforemost/research "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Honours and Awards](https://academicdevelopment.hku.hk/awards-recognition/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - Support Offices - [Research Services](https://www.rss.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Mainland Research Projects Office](http://www.mrpo.hku.hk/?lang=en "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Graduate School](http://www.gradsch.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Knowledge Exchange Office](http://www.ke.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Technology Transfer Office](http://www.tto.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Techno-Entrepreneurship Core](https://tec.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Processing Offices for Agreements](https://intraweb.hku.hk/local/rss/agreement-processing-offices.htm "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Knowledge Exchange](http://www.ke.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Knowledge Exchange](http://www.ke.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - KE Strategy and Resources - [HKU KE Strategy](https://www.ke.hku.hk/about-ke/hku-ke-strategy "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Community Engagement](https://www.ke.hku.hk/community-engagement/far-and-wide "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Partnerships](https://www.ke.hku.hk/partnerships/partnership-opportunities "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Entrepreneurship](https://tec.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [HKU Technologies](https://www.versitech.hku.hk/technology/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Find a Research Collaborator](http://hub.hku.hk/search/search.jsp?type=interests&sort_by=bi_sort_1_sort&location=dspacebasic "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Find a Thesis Supervisor](http://hub.hku.hk/search/search.jsp?type=supervision&sort_by=bi_sort_1_sort&location=dspacebasic "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Find a Media Contact](http://hub.hku.hk/search/search.jsp?type=media&sort_by=bi_sort_1_sort&location=dspacebasic "This link will pop up in a new window") - Support Offices - [Knowledge Exchange Office](https://www.ke.hku.hk/about-ke/ke-office "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Technology Transfer Office](http://www.tto.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - Highlights - [Impact Cases](https://www.ke.hku.hk/story/impact "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Innovation Showcase](https://www.ke.hku.hk/story/innovation "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Global KE](https://www.ke.hku.hk/story/global "This link will pop up in a new window") - [KE Spotlight](https://www.ke.hku.hk/spotlight "This link will pop up in a new window") - [KE Stories and Videos](https://www.ke.hku.hk/story/all/page "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Honours and Awards](https://www.ke.hku.hk/research-impact/honours-and-awards "This link will pop up in a new window") - Useful Links - [HKU Scholars Hub](http://hub.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [HKU KE Websites](https://www.ke.hku.hk/community-engagement/knowledge-links "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Versitech Limited](https://www.versitech.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Techno-Entrepreneurship Core](https://tec.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [University Grants Committee: Knowledge Transfer](https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/ugc/activity/knowledge.html "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculties & Departments](https://www.hku.hk/faculties) - [Faculties & Departments](https://www.hku.hk/faculties) - [All Departments (A-Z)](https://www.hku.hk/faculties/) - [Faculty of Architecture](http://fac.arch.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Arts](http://arts.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Business and Economics (HKU Business School)](https://www.hkubs.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Dentistry](https://facdent.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Education](http://web.edu.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Engineering](http://engg.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Law](http://www.law.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine](https://www.med.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Science](http://www.scifac.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Social Sciences](http://www.socsc.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Graduate School](https://gradsch.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Libraries](http://lib.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [HKU Portal](http://hkuportal.hku.hk/) - [Prospective Students](https://www.hku.hk/prospective-students) - [Prospective Students](https://www.hku.hk/prospective-students) - [Undergraduate Studies](https://www.hku.hk/prospective-students/) - [Full-time undergraduates](https://admissions.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Exchange students](http://www.aal.hku.hk/studyabroad "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Visiting students](https://aal.hku.hk/studyabroad/index.php?type=incoming "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Summer Institute](https://summerinstitute.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Scholarships](https://aas.hku.hk/scholarship-opportunities/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Information Day (Undergraduate Admissions)](https://www.infoday.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Taught Postgraduate Studies](https://www.hku.hk/prospective-students/) - [Taught Postgraduate Curricula](https://aal.hku.hk/tpg/programme-information "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Admissions](https://aal.hku.hk/tpg/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Scholarships](https://aas.hku.hk/scholarship-opportunities/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Student life](https://www.studentlife.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Research Postgraduate Studies](https://www.hku.hk/prospective-students/) - [Useful information](https://gradsch.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Admissions](https://gradsch.hku.hk/prospective_students/application/how_to_apply "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Scholarships](https://aas.hku.hk/scholarship-opportunities/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Student life](https://www.studentlife.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Current Students](https://www.hku.hk/current-students) - [Current Students](https://www.hku.hk/current-students) - [Undergraduate Studies](https://www.hku.hk/current-students/) - [Teaching and Learning](http://tl.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Academic Advising](http://aao.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Learning Opportunities Beyond Hong Kong](https://tl.hku.hk/horizons/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Degrees and Regulations](http://www4.hku.hk/pubunit/drcd/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Dates of Semesters](http://www.ase.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Calendar](https://www.cpao.hku.hk/publications/calendar-semesters.pdf "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Undergraduate Curriculum](https://aao.hku.hk/ug-cur/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Undergraduate Handbook](http://www.handbook.hku.hk/ug/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Common Core Curriculum](https://commoncore.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Study Abroad and Exchange](https://aal.hku.hk/studyabroad/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Summer Institute](https://summerinstitute.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Scholarships](https://aas.hku.hk/scholarship-opportunities/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Taught Postgraduate Studies](https://www.hku.hk/current-students/) - [Taught Postgraduate Curricula](https://aal.hku.hk/tpg/programme-information "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Postgraduate Handbook (Coursework Programmes)](http://www.asa.hku.hk/handbook/tpg "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Degrees and Regulations](http://www4.hku.hk/pubunit/drcd/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Schedule of Fees](http://www.ase.hku.hk/fees/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Scholarships](https://aas.hku.hk/scholarship-opportunities/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Research Postgraduate Studies](https://www.hku.hk/current-students/) - [Information for Current Students](https://gradsch.hku.hk/current_students/announcements "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Handbook for MPhil & PhD Programmes](https://rpghandbook.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Degrees and Regulations](http://www4.hku.hk/pubunit/drcd/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Schedule of Fees](http://www.ase.hku.hk/fees/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Scholarships](https://aas.hku.hk/scholarship-opportunities/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Co-curriculum](https://www.cedars.hku.hk/co-curriculum "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Centre of Development and Resources for Students](https://www.cedars.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Student Life and Resources](https://www.studentlife.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [For Parents](http://wp.cedars.hku.hk/web/parents/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Staff](https://www.hku.hk/staff) - [Staff](https://www.hku.hk/staff) - [Human Resources](https://www.hku.hk/staff/) - [Human Resources of HKU](http://www.hr.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Careers](https://www.hr.hku.hk/career_opportunities/careers.html "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Staff Development & Training](http://www.hr.hku.hk/staff_development/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Professors From Afar](https://www.hku.hk/others/professors-from-afar.html) - [Expats@HKU](https://www.hr.hku.hk/Working@HKU.pdf "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Support Services](https://www.hku.hk/staff/) - [Teaching & Learning](https://www.hku.hk/staff/) - [Copyright](http://lib.hku.hk/copyright/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Information & Communication Technologies](http://teli.hku.hk/about-us/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Administrative](https://www.hku.hk/staff/) - [Bulk Email Submission](https://hkuportal.hku.hk/portal/servlet/LoginPortal?appCode=REQMAIL "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Campus Navigator](http://www.maps.hku.hk/index.php?lang=en "This link will pop up in a new window") - [HKU Standard Terminology](https://www.cpao.hku.hk/cpao/terminology "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Name Card Production](https://hku.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3pxI93kYqkgZpid?Q "This link will pop up in a new window") - [The University of Hong Kong Visitor Centre](https://www.visitorcentre.hku.hk/index.php?route=common/home "This link will pop up in a new window") - [University Identity](https://www.hku.hk/about/uid/introduction.html) - [One-stop publicity solutions on hku.hk](http://www.hku.hk/publicity/) - [Effective Promotion Tools](https://www.hku.hk/reserved3/publicity/6promotiontools.html) - [HKU Content Management System (CMS)](https://hku.hk/reserved3/publicity/hkucms.html) - [Web Policies and Guidelines](https://www.hku.hk/reserved4/policies-guidelines/index.html) - [Event Management System](https://hkuportal.hku.hk/cas/servlet/edu.yale.its.tp.cas.servlet.Login?service=http://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_signon.aspx "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Photo Library](https://www4.hku.hk/photos/index.php/stock "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Long Service Awards](https://www.hku.hk/staff/lsa.html) - [About](https://www.hku.hk/staff/lsa/index.html) - [Ceremony](https://www.hku.hk/staff/lsa/presentation_ceremony.html) - [Press Releases](https://www.hku.hk/staff/lsa/press_releases.html) - [Photos](https://www.hku.hk/staff/lsa/photos.html) - [2021 Photos](https://www.hku.hk/staff/lsa/photos/2021.html) - [2020 Photos](https://www.hku.hk/staff/lsa/photos/2020.html) - [2019 Photos](https://www.hku.hk/staff/lsa/photos/2019.html) - [2018 Photos](https://www.hku.hk/staff/lsa/photos/2018.html) - [2017 Photos](https://www.hku.hk/staff/lsa/photos/2017.html) - [2016 Photos](https://www.hku.hk/staff/lsa/photos/2016.html) - [Videos](https://www.hku.hk/staff/lsa/videos.html) - [Useful Links](https://www.hku.hk/staff/) - Services for Staff - [Support Services from Communications and Public Affairs Office](https://www.hku.hk/staff/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html) - [Press Conferences and Briefings](https://www.hku.hk/staff/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m2) - [Press Releases](https://www.hku.hk/staff/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m3) - [Submit a Story](https://www.hku.hk/reserved3/webform/story.php) - [Giving Expert Opinion](https://www.hku.hk/staff/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m4) - [Daily Media Highlights](http://www4.hku.hk/hkumh/media_highlights/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Media Advice and Media Training](https://www.hku.hk/staff/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m6) - [Service Level](https://www.hku.hk/staff/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m7) - [Photo Library (For internal staff and students only)](http://www4.hku.hk/photos/index.php/stock "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Alumni](https://www.alumni.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Media](https://www.hku.hk/hkumedia) - [Media](https://www.hku.hk/hkumedia) - Services for Media - [News Centre](https://hku.hk/press/all/) - [Media Contact Directory (Find an Expert)](http://www4.hku.hk/hkumcd/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [The HKU Scholars Hub (Find an Expert)](http://hub.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [HKU in the Media](https://www.hku.hk/hkumedia/media/) - [Features](https://www.hku.hk/hkumedia#features) - [Faculty & School News](https://www.hku.hk/press/fs_news.html) - [Multimedia](http://www.hku.hk/multimedia/) - [HKU Standard Terminology](http://www.cpao.hku.hk/cpao/terminology "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Contact Us](https://www.hku.hk/hkumedia/contact.html) - Services for Staff - [Support Services from Communications and Public Affairs Office](https://hku.hk/reserved3/staff/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html) - [Press Conferences and Briefings](https://www.hku.hk/staff/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m2) - [Press Releases](https://www.hku.hk/staff/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m3) - [Submit a Story](https://www.hku.hk/reserved3/webform/story.php) - [Giving Expert Opinion](https://www.hku.hk/staff/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m4) - [Daily Media Highlights](http://www4.hku.hk/hkumh/media_highlights/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Media Advice and Media Training](https://www.hku.hk/staff/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m6) - [Service Level](https://www.hku.hk/staff/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html#m7) - [Photo Library (For internal staff and students only)](http://www4.hku.hk/photos/index.php/stock "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Visitors](https://www.hku.hk/visitors) - [Visitors](https://www.hku.hk/visitors) - [About HKU](https://www.hku.hk/visitors/) - [About HKU](https://www.hku.hk/about/) - [University Today](https://www.hku.hk/about/university-today/today.html) - [The Early Years](https://www.hku.hk/about/university-history/the-early-years.html) - [From Post-War to the New Millennium](https://www.hku.hk/about/university-history/past.html) - [Multimedia](https://www.hku.hk/multimedia/) - [Visiting Us](https://www.hku.hk/visitors/) - [Visit HKU](https://www.hku.hk/visit/) - [Visitor Centre](https://www.visitorcentre.hku.hk/index.php?route=common/home "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Heritage Buildings](https://www.hku.hk/visit/heritage.php) - [University Museum & Art Gallery](http://www.umag.hku.hk/en/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Stephen Hui Geological Museum](http://www.earthsciences.hku.hk/shmuseum/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole](http://www.jaotipe.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Souvenirs](https://www.hku.hk/visitors/) - [HKU Souvenirs](https://www.visitorcentre.hku.hk/index.php?route=common/home "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Museum Store](http://www.umag.hku.hk/en/shop.php?id=43185 "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Filming Requests](https://www.hku.hk/visitors/) - [Filming on HKU Campus](https://www.hku.hk/others/filming/) - [Wedding Photography on HKU Campus](https://www.hku.hk/others/weddingphotos.html) - [Maps](https://www.hku.hk/visitors/) - [HKU Maps and Transportation](http://www.maps.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [HK Map](https://www.google.com.hk/maps?ie=UTF8&hl=en "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Giving to HKU](http://www.giving.hku.hk/en/index.html "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Events](https://www.hku.hk/event) - [Events](https://www.hku.hk/event) - [Today's Events](https://www.hku.hk/event/today.html) - [Upcoming Events](https://www.hku.hk/event/upcoming.html) - By Category - [Architecture & Engineering](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_A) - [Business & Economics](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_B) - [Culture and Arts](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_C) - [Education](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_E) - [Law and Politics](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_L) - [Medical & Health Care](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_M) - [Science & Technology](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_SC) - [Social Development & Welfare](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_SO) - [Sports and Recreation](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_SR) - [Others](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_O) - [Publications](https://www.hku.hk/publications) - [Publications](https://www.hku.hk/publications) - [Academic Publications](http://hub.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [University Publications](https://www.hku.hk/publications/) - [Faculty/Department/Unit](https://www.hku.hk/publications/faculty-department-unit.html) - [Hong Kong University Press](https://hkupress.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Careers](https://www.hr.hku.hk/career_opportunities/careers.html "This link will pop up in a new window") We regret to inform you that our website no longer supports Internet Explorer. To continue browsing the website, please consider using other browsers like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox or Safari. Close [Skip to content](https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/detail/23740.html#content) [![The University of Hong Kong](https://www.hku.hk/assets/img/hku-115.svg?t=1760950144)](https://www.hku.hk/) - [About](https://www.hku.hk/about/) - [Vision & Mission](https://www.hku.hk/about/vision.html) - [Vision 2026-2035](https://vision2026-2035.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [University Governance](https://www.hku.hk/about/governance.html) - [Profile Indicators](https://www.cpao.hku.hk/firstandforemost/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [University History](https://www.hku.hk/about/university-history/the-early-years.html) - [University Today](https://www.hku.hk/about/university-today/today.html) - [University Publications](https://www.hku.hk/publications/) - [Info for Students](https://www.hku.hk/current-students/) - [Info for Staff](https://www.hku.hk/staff/) - [University Identity](https://www.hku.hk/about/uid/introduction.html) - [Officers of the University](https://www.hku.hk/about/officers.html) - [Policies](https://www.hku.hk/about/policies_reports.html) - [President's Office](https://presidentoffice.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Teaching & Learning](http://tl.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Teaching and Learning at HKU](http://tl.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Undergraduate Admissions](https://admissions.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Taught Postgraduate Admissions](https://admissions.hku.hk/tpg/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Research Postgraduate Admissions](https://gradsch.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - Useful Links - [HKU Online Learning (MOOCs)](http://online.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Academic Advising and Scholarships Office (AASO)](https://aas.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Common Core](http://tl.hku.hk/common-core-curriculum/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Gallant Ho Experiential Learning Centre (GHELC)](http://ghelc.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Horizons Office](http://tl.hku.hk/horizons/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC)](https://talic.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Research](https://www.hku.hk/research/) - Research Strengths - [Areas of Excellence](https://www.hku.hk/research/areas_excellence.html) - [Theme-based Research](https://www.hku.hk/research/theme_based.html) - [Strategic Topics Grant](https://www.hku.hk/research/stg.html) - [State Key Laboratories and CAS-HKU Joint Laboratories](https://www.hku.hk/research/state-key-labs-cas-hku-joint-labs.html) - [InnoHK Research Laboratories](https://www.hkuinno.com.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - Strategies and Governance - [Direction and Strategies](https://www.hku.hk/research/direction_strategies.html) - [Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)](https://www.presidentsoffice.hku.hk/leadership/professor-stephanie-ma "This link will pop up in a new window") - [University Research Committee](https://www.hku.hk/research/urc.html) - [Research Integrity](https://www.rss.hku.hk/integrity "This link will pop up in a new window") - Impact and Innovation - [Research Impact Cases](https://www.ke.hku.hk/story/impact "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Innovation Showcase](https://www.ke.hku.hk/story/innovation "This link will pop up in a new window") - People - [Our Researchers](https://www.hku.hk/research/our-researchers.html) - [Expertise and Collaboration](https://www.hku.hk/research/expertise-collaborate.html) - [HKU Scholars Hub](http://hub.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - Centres and Institutes - [Chinese Mainland Research Institutes](http://www.mrpo.hku.hk/about-us/hku-shenzhen-institute-of-research-and-innovation-hku-siri?lang=en "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Research Centres and Institutes](https://www.hku.hk/research/centres_institutes.html) - News and Highlights - [Latest Research News](https://www.hku.hk/research/news.html) - [Research Highlights](https://www.hku.hk/research/video/) - [HKU Research Stories](https://www.hku.hk/research/hku-research-stories.html) - [Facts and Figures](https://www.cpao.hku.hk/firstandforemost/research "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Honours and Awards](https://academicdevelopment.hku.hk/awards-recognition/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - Support Offices - [Research Services](https://www.rss.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Mainland Research Projects Office](http://www.mrpo.hku.hk/?lang=en "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Graduate School](http://www.gradsch.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Knowledge Exchange Office](http://www.ke.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Technology Transfer Office](http://www.tto.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Techno-Entrepreneurship Core](https://tec.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Processing Offices for Agreements](https://intraweb.hku.hk/local/rss/agreement-processing-offices.htm "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Knowledge Exchange](http://www.ke.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - KE Strategy and Resources - [HKU KE Strategy](https://www.ke.hku.hk/about-ke/hku-ke-strategy "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Community Engagement](https://www.ke.hku.hk/community-engagement/far-and-wide "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Partnerships](https://www.ke.hku.hk/partnerships/partnership-opportunities "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Entrepreneurship](https://tec.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [HKU Technologies](https://www.versitech.hku.hk/technology/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Find a Research Collaborator](http://hub.hku.hk/search/search.jsp?type=interests&sort_by=bi_sort_1_sort&location=dspacebasic "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Find a Thesis Supervisor](http://hub.hku.hk/search/search.jsp?type=supervision&sort_by=bi_sort_1_sort&location=dspacebasic "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Find a Media Contact](http://hub.hku.hk/search/search.jsp?type=media&sort_by=bi_sort_1_sort&location=dspacebasic "This link will pop up in a new window") - Support Offices - [Knowledge Exchange Office](https://www.ke.hku.hk/about-ke/ke-office "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Technology Transfer Office](http://www.tto.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - Highlights - [Impact Cases](https://www.ke.hku.hk/story/impact "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Innovation Showcase](https://www.ke.hku.hk/story/innovation "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Global KE](https://www.ke.hku.hk/story/global "This link will pop up in a new window") - [KE Spotlight](https://www.ke.hku.hk/spotlight "This link will pop up in a new window") - [KE Stories and Videos](https://www.ke.hku.hk/story/all/page "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Honours and Awards](https://www.ke.hku.hk/research-impact/honours-and-awards "This link will pop up in a new window") - Useful Links - [HKU Scholars Hub](http://hub.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [HKU KE Websites](https://www.ke.hku.hk/community-engagement/knowledge-links "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Versitech Limited](https://www.versitech.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Techno-Entrepreneurship Core](https://tec.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [University Grants Committee: Knowledge Transfer](https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/ugc/activity/knowledge.html "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculties & Departments](https://www.hku.hk/faculties/) - [All Departments (A-Z)](https://www.hku.hk/faculties/) - [Faculty of Architecture](http://fac.arch.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Arts](http://arts.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Business and Economics (HKU Business School)](https://www.hkubs.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Dentistry](https://facdent.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Education](http://web.edu.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Engineering](http://engg.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Law](http://www.law.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine](https://www.med.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Science](http://www.scifac.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Faculty of Social Sciences](http://www.socsc.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Graduate School](https://gradsch.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Libraries](http://lib.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Portal](http://hkuportal.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") More \> - [Prospective Students](https://www.hku.hk/prospective-students/) Toggle Submenu - [Undergraduate Studies](https://www.hku.hk/prospective-students/) - [Taught Postgraduate Studies](https://www.hku.hk/prospective-students/) - [Research Postgraduate Studies](https://www.hku.hk/prospective-students/) - [Current Students](https://www.hku.hk/current-students/) Toggle Submenu - [Undergraduate Studies](https://www.hku.hk/current-students/) - [Taught Postgraduate Studies](https://www.hku.hk/current-students/) - [Research Postgraduate Studies](https://www.hku.hk/current-students/) - [Co-curriculum](https://www.cedars.hku.hk/co-curriculum "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Centre of Development and Resources for Students](https://www.cedars.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Student Life and Resources](https://www.studentlife.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [For Parents](http://wp.cedars.hku.hk/web/parents/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Staff](https://www.hku.hk/staff/) Toggle Submenu - [Human Resources](https://www.hku.hk/staff/) Toggle Submenu - [Human Resources of HKU](http://www.hr.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Careers](https://www.hr.hku.hk/career_opportunities/careers.html "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Staff Development & Training](http://www.hr.hku.hk/staff_development/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Professors From Afar](https://www.hku.hk/others/professors-from-afar.html) - [Expats@HKU](https://www.hr.hku.hk/Working@HKU.pdf "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Support Services](https://www.hku.hk/staff/) Toggle Submenu - [Teaching & Learning](https://www.hku.hk/staff/) - [Administrative](https://www.hku.hk/staff/) - [One-stop publicity solutions on hku.hk](http://www.hku.hk/publicity/) - [Long Service Awards](https://www.hku.hk/staff/lsa.html) Toggle Submenu - [About](https://www.hku.hk/staff/lsa/index.html) - [Ceremony](https://www.hku.hk/staff/lsa/presentation_ceremony.html) - [Press Releases](https://www.hku.hk/staff/lsa/press_releases.html) - [Photos](https://www.hku.hk/staff/lsa/photos.html) - [Videos](https://www.hku.hk/staff/lsa/videos.html) - [Useful Links](https://www.hku.hk/staff/) - Services for Staff Toggle Submenu - [Support Services from Communications and Public Affairs Office](https://www.hku.hk/staff/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html) - [Alumni](https://www.alumni.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Media](https://www.hku.hk/hkumedia/) Toggle Submenu - Services for Media Toggle Submenu - [News Centre](https://hku.hk/press/all/) - [Media Contact Directory (Find an Expert)](http://www4.hku.hk/hkumcd/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [The HKU Scholars Hub (Find an Expert)](http://hub.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [HKU in the Media](https://www.hku.hk/hkumedia/media/) - [Features](https://www.hku.hk/hkumedia#features) - [Faculty & School News](https://www.hku.hk/press/fs_news.html) - [Multimedia](http://www.hku.hk/multimedia/) - [HKU Standard Terminology](http://www.cpao.hku.hk/cpao/terminology "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Contact Us](https://www.hku.hk/hkumedia/contact.html) - Services for Staff Toggle Submenu - [Support Services from Communications and Public Affairs Office](https://hku.hk/reserved3/staff/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html) - [Visitors](https://www.hku.hk/visitors/) Toggle Submenu - [About HKU](https://www.hku.hk/visitors/) - [Visiting Us](https://www.hku.hk/visitors/) - [Souvenirs](https://www.hku.hk/visitors/) - [Filming Requests](https://www.hku.hk/visitors/) - [Maps](https://www.hku.hk/visitors/) - [Giving to HKU](https://www.giving.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Events](https://www.hku.hk/event/) Toggle Submenu - [Today's Events](https://www.hku.hk/event/today.html) - [Upcoming Events](https://www.hku.hk/event/upcoming.html) - By Category Toggle Submenu - [Architecture & Engineering](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_A) - [Business & Economics](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_B) - [Culture and Arts](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_C) - [Education](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_E) - [Law and Politics](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_L) - [Medical & Health Care](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_M) - [Science & Technology](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_SC) - [Social Development & Welfare](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_SO) - [Sports and Recreation](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_SR) - [Others](https://www.hku.hk/event/category.html#category_O) - [Publications](https://www.hku.hk/publications/) Toggle Submenu - [Academic Publications](http://hub.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [University Publications](https://www.hku.hk/publications/) - [Faculty/Department/Unit](https://www.hku.hk/publications/faculty-department-unit.html) - [Hong Kong University Press](https://hkupress.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Careers](https://www.hr.hku.hk/career_opportunities/careers.html "This link will pop up in a new window") [中文](https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/detail/c_23740.html) Toggle search panel [Toggle menu panel]() # Media [Home](https://www.hku.hk/) \> [Media](https://www.hku.hk/hkumedia) \> [Press Releases](https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/2021/12/) \> HKU microbiologists find that two doses of BNT162b2 (BioNTech ) or Coronavac (Sinovac) vaccines are inadequate against Omicron virus variants Menu - Services for Media - [News Centre](https://hku.hk/press/all/) - [Media Contact Directory (Find an Expert)](http://www4.hku.hk/hkumcd/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [The HKU Scholars Hub (Find an Expert)](http://hub.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [HKU in the Media](https://www.hku.hk/hkumedia/media/) - [Features](https://www.hku.hk/hkumedia#features) - [Faculty & School News](https://www.hku.hk/press/fs_news.html) - [Multimedia](http://www.hku.hk/multimedia/) - [HKU Standard Terminology](http://www.cpao.hku.hk/cpao/terminology "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Contact Us](https://www.hku.hk/hkumedia/contact.html) - Services for Staff - [Support Services from Communications and Public Affairs Office](https://hku.hk/reserved3/staff/support-services-from-communications-and-public-affairs-office.html) [Print]() [Copy Text]() - [All News](https://www.hku.hk/press/all/) - [Press Releases](https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/) - [Press Invitations](https://www.hku.hk/press/press-invitations/) - [Clarification](https://www.hku.hk/press/clarification/) - [Back to Media Home](https://www.hku.hk/hkumedia/) [Back](https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/2021/12/) ## HKU microbiologists find that two doses of BNT162b2 (BioNTech ) or Coronavac (Sinovac) vaccines are inadequate against Omicron virus variants 14 Dec 2021 [Download All Photos](https://www.hku.hk/f/news/23740/download.zip "This link will pop up in a new window") Previous [![Cells are protected from killing by Ancestral SARS-CoV-2 after addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.](https://www.hku.hk/f/news/23740/826p376/Photo%201@750.jpg)](https://www.hku.hk/f/news/23740/900p600/Photo%201.jpg "Cells are protected from killing by Ancestral SARS-CoV-2 after addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.") Cells are protected from killing by Ancestral SARS-CoV-2 after addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac. [![Cells are NOT protected from killing by Omicron virus despite addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.](https://www.hku.hk/f/news/23740/826p376/Photo%202@750.jpg)](https://www.hku.hk/f/news/23740/900p600/Photo%202.jpg "Cells are NOT protected from killing by Omicron virus despite addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.") Cells are NOT protected from killing by Omicron virus despite addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac. [![Cells are protected from killing by Ancestral SARS-CoV-2 after addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.](https://www.hku.hk/f/news/23740/826p376/Photo%201@750.jpg)](https://www.hku.hk/f/news/23740/900p600/Photo%201.jpg "Cells are protected from killing by Ancestral SARS-CoV-2 after addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.") Cells are protected from killing by Ancestral SARS-CoV-2 after addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac. [![Cells are NOT protected from killing by Omicron virus despite addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.](https://www.hku.hk/f/news/23740/826p376/Photo%202@750.jpg)](https://www.hku.hk/f/news/23740/900p600/Photo%202.jpg "Cells are NOT protected from killing by Omicron virus despite addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac.") Cells are NOT protected from killing by Omicron virus despite addition of serum from individuals vaccinated by Coronavac. Next - 1 / 2 - 2 / 2 [Play / Stop the slider]() [Hide caption]() [Show caption]() Researchers at the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) have found that most individuals after given two doses of the vaccine (either BioNtech or Coronavac) do not produce sufficient levels of serum antibodies against the new Omicron virus variant. The public is advised to get a third dose of the vaccine as soon as possible while awaiting for the next generation of more matched vaccine. The results of the study have been accepted for publication in the medical journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. It is available online as a preprint. Background The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, first identified in November 2021, is spreading worldwide. This variant is particularly worrisome due to the large number of mutations in the virus that could affect infectivity or vaccine efficacy. To assess the effectiveness of existing COVID-19 vaccines in Hong Kong against this novel variant, researchers at the Department of Microbiology tested the ability of serum samples from fully vaccinated recipients to neutralize this variant. Serum neutralizing antibody titers are currently the only easily reproducible surrogate marker of protection against COVID-19. Research findings To test the ability of vaccine recipients' serum antibodies to neutralize the Omicron variant, the team used sera from two groups of vaccine recipients who have received two doses of BNT162b2 (BioNtech) or Coronavac. Each group consists of 25 people. The study aims to more fully evaluate the health risk of the Omicron variant to the Hong Kong population and the need for a universal third dose. Two Omicron variants present in Hong Kong were tested, one from South Africa and the other from Nigeria (with the additional R346K mutation). The ability of serum antibodies to neutralize the Alpha, Beta, and Delta strains was also tested as a control. Only five out of 25 Biontech vaccine recipients had neutralizing ability against the Omicron variant virus, and the vaccine efficiency was significantly reduced to 20 - 24%. Compared to the original SARS-CoV-2 strain, the titer of neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant has decreased by 36 - 40 fold. None of the serum of the 25 Coronavac vaccine recipients contain sufficient antibody to neutralize the Omicron variant at the limit of 1 in 10 dilution. Implications of the study 1. The Omicron variant virus was able to reduce the effectiveness of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, particularly against Coronavac. Therefore, COVID-19 vaccine recipients or even those recovered COVID-19 patients may be at a higher risk of breakthrough or reinfection. Our findings suggest that the design of the next generation of COVID-19 vaccine should consider sufficient coverage against this novel viral variant. 2\. A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine is needed to enhance the antibody response against the Omicron variant. 3\. Whether a third dose of the present Coronavac vaccine will enhance the neutralizing antibody response against the Omicron variant remains to be determined. About the Research Team Kwok-Yung Yuen, Henry Fok Professor of Infectious Diseases, Chair Professor of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, and Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Director of the State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong Kelvin To, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology Honglin Chen, Professor, Department of Microbiology This research is funded by the Health and Medical Research Fund, the Food and Health Bureau, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The preprint of the study "Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant by sera from BNT162b2 or Coronavac vaccine recipients" is posted at: <https://medrxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2021.12.13.21267668v1> A portable graphical link to the paper (QR code) can be obtained here: <https://connect.medrxiv.org/qr/2021.12.13.21267668>. Media enquiries: Communications and Public Affairs Office, The University of Hong Kong Rashida Suffiad (Tel: 2857 8555, Email: rsuffiad@hku.hk) Melanie Wan (Tel: 2859 2600, Email: melwkwan@hku.hk) [Top](https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/detail/23740.html#top) - [![Facebook](https://www.hku.hk/assets/img/svg/icon_fb.svg)Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/hkuofficial "This link will pop up in a new window") - [![HKU IOS App](https://www.hku.hk/assets/img/svg/icon_ios.svg)HKU IOS App](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-university-of-hong-kong/id552371085?mt=8 "This link will pop up in a new window") - [![HKU Android App](https://www.hku.hk/assets/img/svg/icon_android.svg)HKU Android App](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hk.hku.its.hkuapp&hl=en&gl=US) - [![Social Media and Apps](https://www.hku.hk/assets/img/svg/icon_more.svg)Social Media and Apps](https://www.hku.hk/multimedia/faculties-and-departments/) - [Careers](https://www.hr.hku.hk/career_opportunities/careers.html "This link will pop up in a new window") - [High Contrast](https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/detail/23740.html "Change to High Colour Contrast Version") [Normal Contrast](https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/detail/23740.html "Change to Normal Colour Contrast Version") - [Maps & Facilities](http://www.maps.hku.hk/ "This link will pop up in a new window") - [Web Policies & Guidelines](https://www.hku.hk/policies-guidelines/) - [Contact Us](https://www.hku.hk/contact/) - [Site Map](https://www.hku.hk/sitemap.html) - [Privacy](https://www.hku.hk/about/policies_reports/privacy_policy.html) - [Web Accessibility Statement](https://www.hku.hk/web-accessibility/) Copyright © 2025 The University of Hong Kong. All Rights Reserved. [Top]()
Readable Markdown	null
Shard	68 (laksa)
Root Hash	13463010531643462468
Unparsed URL	hk,hku!www,/press/press-releases/detail/23740.html s443