China Begins COVID-19 Vaccination for General Public

Sequential Vaccination for Applicants in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province... Vaccine Price 400 Yuan
Health Authorities: "No Serious Side Effects in 60,000 Participants of Phase 3 Clinical Trial"

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese health authorities are administering the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine to the general public. This is the first time the COVID-19 vaccine is being given to the general population.

Until now, China has conducted Phase 3 clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine only on medical personnel, government officials, and military personnel.

Chinese health authorities, seemingly mindful of safety concerns, have conducted Phase 3 clinical trials on 60,000 people and officially announced that there were no vaccine side effects.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to Chinese online media Pengpai on the 21st, Shaoxing City in Zhejiang Province is vaccinating volunteers with the COVID-19 vaccine. The Shaoxing Municipal Health Commission is accepting COVID-19 vaccination reservations through its official WeChat account (Shaoxing Weijian).

Pengpai explained that Shaoxing City will conduct vaccinations by dividing applicants into groups.

Shaoxing health authorities plan to vaccinate sequentially by categorizing recipients into key guaranteed groups, key recommended groups, and the general public. Medical personnel, health and epidemic prevention workers, and COVID-19 testing personnel fall under the key guaranteed group. The key recommended group includes urban essential operation workers, public place workers, personnel in special locations, and government officials engaged in high-risk country visits.

The COVID-19 vaccine will be administered twice (with an interval of 14 to 28 days). The vaccine is paid, with a price of 400 yuan for both the first and second doses.

Although there is criticism about administering a vaccine still in Phase 3 clinical trials to the general public, Chinese health authorities maintain that there are no major safety issues.

At a joint briefing the previous day, the National Health Commission, Ministry of Science and Technology, and Drug Administration of China announced that 13 Chinese-made vaccines are in clinical stages, with four of them currently in the final Phase 3 clinical trials.

They also stated that so far, a total of 60,000 volunteers have received these vaccines, and no serious side effects have been reported.

Regarding the official release of Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines, they added, "If sufficient clinical trial data and vaccine safety are secured and an application is submitted, approval will be granted as quickly as possible."