What’s new: China has set a Covid-19 vaccination target for 90% of people over 80 years old to have taken at least one dose by the end of January 2023, Caixin has learned from multiple sources.
In addition, for those 80-or-above who are eligible to be fully vaccinated or ready for a booster, the goal is also to get 90% of them to get another shot.
Among seniors aged 60 to 79, the inoculation rate target is set at 95% for eligible candidates to either complete the primary course of the first two doses or to get the booster shot if they’re fully vaccinated.
The background: China’s vaccine strategy is seen as crucial for reopening. The vaccination rate of the elderly in China remains lower than that of the national level. As of Monday, 76.6% of seniors over 80 years old have received at least one dose while 65.8% have received two, a health official said Tuesday. The numbers for those over 60 stood at 90.68% for one shot and 86.42% for two.
China’s top epidemic control body recently urged local governments to speed up the vaccination process of the elderly, who are considered as having a higher risk of developing severe illness from Covid. The authorities also shortened the minimum period between completing the initial course of vaccination and the first booster shot for the elderly to three months from six.
Contact reporter Kelly Wang (jingzhewang@caixin.com) and editor Bertrand Teo (bertrandteo@caixin.com)
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