China Administers 22.76 Million Vaccine Doses to High-Risk Groups Alone

Chinese Health Authorities Report 22.76 Million Doses Administered as of 27th, Targeting 50 Million Before Chunjol
Chunjol Travel Restrictions Incentives... Consumer Coupons, 20GB Mobile Data, and Bonuses Provided

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] While major countries around the world, including Europe, are experiencing shortages of COVID-19 vaccines, China has completed 22.76 million doses of vaccination.

China's state-run Global Times, citing the announcement from the National Health Commission of China, reported on the 28th that a total of 22.76 million doses had been administered as of the 27th. Chinese health authorities had previously announced that they would vaccinate 50 million high-risk individuals before the Lunar New Year holiday (February 11?17).

Chinese people are lining up to receive vaccines at a temporary COVID-19 vaccination site set up in an apartment complex in Wangjing, Beijing, China.

The Global Times stated that vaccine administration is progressing smoothly and it seems likely that the initial target will be reached.

Peng Duoja, chairman of the China Vaccine Industry Association, said, "China is systematically implementing vaccine administration and the supply is sufficient, so vaccinating 50 million high-risk individuals before the Lunar New Year is possible."

The Global Times also reported that general population vaccinations will begin once the high-risk group vaccinations are completed.

In fact, Shanxi Province in northern China announced that it will complete vaccinations for the high-risk group before February 5 and start vaccinating the general population.

However, some in China believe that vaccinating 50 million people before the Lunar New Year will not be easy.

Tao Lina, a vaccine expert in Shanghai, said, "The 22.76 million doses administered so far are less than half of the planned number," and predicted that the target might not be reached before the Lunar New Year. She added, "General population vaccinations will begin to form herd immunity, which is expected to be achieved in the second half of this year."

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have reiterated their call to avoid travel during the Lunar New Year holiday. Beijing, ahead of the upcoming Two Sessions (National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference) in March, is the most proactive in this regard.

Beijing authorities require people coming from low-risk COVID-19 areas to Beijing to present a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test result taken within 7 days. They must also undergo 14 days of health monitoring.

People from medium- and high-risk COVID-19 areas are, in principle, not allowed to enter Beijing. This is effectively a lockdown measure for Beijing.

Beijing authorities have also introduced incentives to discourage travel during the Lunar New Year. Citizens spending the Lunar New Year in Beijing will receive consumption coupons and 20GB of free mobile data. A free refund and change policy for airline tickets has also been introduced. Authorities are encouraging employers to provide separate bonuses to workers who do not visit their hometowns.