Topline
Beijing has begun administering Covid-19 vaccine boosters in the city to what it defines as “at-risk” individuals above the age of 18, as the city and its surrounding regions prepare to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in less than four months.
A medical worker inoculates a man with a Covid-19 vaccine at the Chaoyang Museum of Urban Planning ... [+]
Key Facts
Booster doses are being offered to anyone above 18 who received their first two doses of the Sinopharm, Sinovac, or Cansino vaccine at least six months ago and is part of an “at-risk” group which includes those who are participating, organizing, or working for the Olympics, the Associated Press reported, citing Chinese state media.
Others who are eligible for a booster shot include people working in retail, manufacturing, education and public facilities, the South China Morning Post reported.
Friday’s move is an expansion of China’s judicious booster dose rollout which has officially been in place since September but heavily restricted to only certain groups.
The 2022 Winter Olympics will take place in Beijing, Yanqing and the neighboring city of Zhangjiakou, and will start on February 4.
Unlike this year’s summer games in Tokyo, China plans to allow local spectators to attend the events.
Big Number
2.23 billion. That is the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in mainland China so far, inoculating around 80% of the country’s population, according to Reuters.
Key Background
Last week, the World Health Organization recommended that people over the age of 60 who have received China’s Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccine should receive a third dose for added protection. However, unlike some other countries which are mixing and matching vaccine types for possibly stronger efficacy, Chinese authorities have ruled that the booster dose must be the same type as the one people had received in their first two doses.
Further Reading
Beijing offering COVID-19 boosters, 4 months before Olympics (Associated Press)
