Chinese province’s coronavirus vaccination scheme could be model for rest of country
- The pilot scheme in Zhejiang is offering injections through the local centre for disease control
- Vaccines are still undergoing clinical trials but key workers and others will be able to receive the jabs on an ‘emergency’ basis this winter
A province in eastern China has started a Covid-19 inoculation programme in an apparent pilot scheme for the whole country.
With the vaccines still in the final stage of human trials, Zhejiang has approved the “emergency use” of the vaccine for autumn and winter, Chen Guangsheng, vice secretary-general of the provincial government, said on Friday.
China first approved the emergency use of coronavirus vaccines in June. As of September, more than 350,000 people had been given the injections and none had suffered severe side effects, Science and Technology Daily reported last month.
But Zhejiang is the first place to start offering vaccinations through the local centre for disease control and prevention (CDC), the usual network for inoculations.
“The vaccine candidates made by Chinese pharmaceutical companies have entered phase III clinical trials. Their safety and efficacy are up to the expected standards. Zhejiang has evaluated the epidemic situation of the upcoming autumn and winter and has made plans for the emergency use of the coronavirus shots,” Chen said.