Chinese health officials have announced a drive to accelerate vaccinations of older people against Covid-19, as police patrolled major cities to stamp out protests against the country’s strict zero-Covid policy. The low vaccination rate among older people is one of the major hurdles to easing the zero-Covid policy, which has eroded economic growth, disrupted the lives of millions, and sparked three days of unprecedented protests.
At a regular press conference on Tuesday, officials said just 76.6% of people over 80 had received two vaccine doses, compared with more than 90% of the general population, and only 65.8% had received a booster jab. The National Health Commission (NHC) said it would target more vaccinations at people older than 80, and reduce to three months the gap between basic vaccination and booster shots for elderly people.
Under a new plan for “strengthening coronavirus vaccination of the elderly”, the National Health Commission (NHC) said it would target more vaccinations at people older than 80 and reduce to three months the gap between basic vaccination and booster shots for elderly people. Local authorities were ordered to improve vaccine promotion and delivery to older age groups, who have been far more averse to vaccination than younger generations.