What’s new: Chinese health authorities announced Wednesday that they will carry out a second round of Covid-19 vaccine booster shots for people over 60 years old, groups with serious underlying diseases, those with low immunity, and others considered at high risk of infection.
People in high-risk groups will be able to receive a second booster if at least six months have passed since receiving their first booster, according to a statement released by the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council.
All vaccines that have been approved for market or emergency use can be used for the second booster, the authority said. It also suggested that for the second booster, people take a different vaccine from their primary course — several studies have shown this provides better protection than a booster of the same kind of vaccine.
The background: The State Council’s pandemic control mechanism has urged local governments to speed up vaccination of the elderly, setting a target for 90% of people over 80 years old to have gotten at least one dose by the end of January 2023.
As of the end of November, 76.6% of people over 80 years old in China had received at least one dose and 65.8% had received two, according to the National Health Commission. For the over 60s, 90.68% had received one shot and 86.42% for two.
Contact reporter Kelly Wang (jingzhewang@caixin.com) and editor Jonathan Breen (jonathanbreen@caixin.com)
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