Beijing Expands COVID-19 Vaccination Program

Thousands of Beijing China residents were reported by AFP to have received the first dose of the experimental New Crown COVID-19 vaccine over the last few days of December 2020. China's health authorities granted “conditional” approval to pharma giant Sinopharm.

An AFP journalist saw people being bused into a temporary vaccine center at a central park after being instructed to fill in electronic forms about their health status and any allergies at an outside gate. China now plans a rollout for the vaccine, starting with key groups considered to have a high risk of exposure to the virus, including port and food logistic workers and people planning to return to studies abroad.

According to AFP, Beijing has already administered around 4.5 million vaccine doses, mostly to health workers and other state employees destined for overseas jobs.