BEIJING — On Thursday, Tang Zhaoyou, 92, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, visited the vaccination site of Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Fudan University, where he was able to complete his COVID-19 booster vaccination.
Tang completed an informed consent form, verified his credentials, and finished tracking his fundamental important signs. Once the injection was complete, it took 30 minutes.
“Each of us will be guilty of our own health,” said Tang, who is also honorary director of Fudan University’s Liver Cancer Institute. He added that it is especially vital for other people over the age of 80 to get vaccinated, as this protects not only their own health, but also that of their families.
According to Tang, for older adults, the ultimate reason to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is to reduce the risk of severe illness.
The Chinese government recently launched a roadmap to expand vaccination of its elderly population to this vulnerable group.
This work plan included efforts to push for increased vaccination rates among those over 80, and also to continue to increase vaccination rates among those 60 to 79.
In Beijing, Pingguoyuan Subdistrict of Shijingshan District has optimized its immunization to better meet the immunization desires of the elderly.
Xu Xiaotao, a staff member of the Xiazhuang network under Pingguoyuan, said a notice circulated among citizens informing them of the time and place of vaccination. They were also told that if there were other seniors who simply wouldn’t go out for the vaccines, they could make an appointment for a vaccination team to be sent home.
The inoculation team, made up of five to six network staff members and doctors, is tasked with vaccinating other seniors in more than 30 families over the course of an afternoon.
Luo Yan, a team member and doctor at Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital at the capital’s Medical University, said that when they vaccinate other elderly people at home, they first check their fitness and ask about their underlying conditions.
Luo added that if their underlying situations were under control, they would continue vaccination after assessment and after communication with family circle members and signing of informed consent.
In southwest China’s Chongqing municipality, Wanzhou District has set up 53 vaccination sites and followed the measures, launching a “green chain” for the elderly and offering door-to-door service for them.
In recent days, the number of other people going to a gym in Wanzhou’s Bai’anba subdistrict to get vaccinated has increased, especially those over 60.
“I’m 77 years old and I’m here for my third injection. I’m in science and he’s smart for me,” said Tu Houlong, a resident who came to the center to receive a booster shot.
For the protection of the elderly, the centre has established a first aid domain and provided it with first-aid devices and medicines.
Fan Meng, an official at the center, said they are offering them with the greatest comfort imaginable and increasing the clinical exposure of their vaccination work.
Full vaccination for COVID-19 has exceeded 90% in China.