Hunan started providing free COVID-19 vaccinations recently.

Nine key groups are in the first round which includes those between 18 and 59. The groups are: imported frozen goods inspectors; port loading and transport personnel; domestic transportation workers; those intending foreign work or study; and, port inspection and quarantine personnel; health care workers; and, community workers. People will be required to show digital travel records and health QR codes, register, and sign an informed consent before being vaccinated; and, will be observed for 30 minutes afterwards. At least 14 days between two shots are recommended. The vaccines can provide protection for more than six months.

A local people’s hospital vaccinated the first 1,500 people in Yongzhou’s Dong’an County. Inactivate vaccines were used which can curb infection and replication of the COVID-19 virus and trigger human immune responses. No major side effects have been detected so far.

Vaccinations will be organized en mass, said Zhou Qingqing, director of the Dong’an County Disease Control and Prevention Center. People who plan to go outbound can make vaccine reservations with the county’s disease control and prevention center.

Recently China has had scattered and sporadic outbreaks. As of January 6, 48 regions are classified as ‘medium-risk’ and one as ‘high-risk’. Disease control experts caution that the virus is more dangerous in cold weather. People should avoid long journeys during the Spring Festival holiday.

The National Health Commission asks enterprises and public institutions to be flexible about staff vacations, and advises people not to leave their area during holidays. The commission also stated a 10-person limit for family or private gatherings, and recommended avoiding crowds especially indoors.

Xiangya Hospital of the Central South University Doctor Pan Pinhua recommended masks, frequent handwashing and being hydrated. Adequate rest strengthens the body’s ability to fight off illness and infection.

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: hunan.voc.com.cn