Beijing's First City Achieves Herd Immunity... 80% of Residents Vaccinated

15 million vaccinated out of 21 million residents, 12.3 million completed second dose
China launches new vaccine providing immunity with a single dose

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] More than 80% of residents aged 18 and over in Beijing, the capital of China, have been vaccinated against COVID-19, reported the state-run Global Times on the 19th. The media added that Beijing will be the first city in China to achieve herd immunity.

The Global Times reported that out of 21 million Beijing residents, 15 million have been vaccinated, and among them, 12.3 million have completed two doses.

It also added that in 11 of Beijing's 16 districts, more than 80% of residents have been vaccinated, and in Shunyi District and Daxing District, where the international airports are located, over 90% have been vaccinated.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

It further stated that 20,000 foreigners residing in Beijing have also received Chinese-made vaccines.

Professor Yang Zhan-chu of the Wuhan Institute of Virology said, "Beijing's herd immunity is approaching," but added, "However, residents themselves must prepare for potential infections by wearing masks and other measures."

Peng Duo-jia, chairman of the China Vaccine Industry Association, predicted, "At the current vaccination pace, the entire country of China could achieve herd immunity around June 2022."

Shao Yi-ming, chief researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said, "China's vaccine production capacity and supply are sufficient, and demand is increasing," adding, "It is possible to administer 20 million doses per day."

Meanwhile, Chinese media such as Pengpai reported that China has started the first vaccinations of a new COVID-19 vaccine in Shanghai that provides immunity with a single dose. This vaccine is known to be an adenovirus vector vaccine developed by CanSino Biologics and the Academy of Military Medical Sciences of China. While Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines require two doses to complete immunity, this vaccine reportedly completes immunity with just one dose.

The Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention stated that this vaccine is very different in technical principle and manufacturing method from existing Chinese inactivated COVID-19 vaccines such as Sinopharm. However, it explained that there are no safety issues with the vaccine and that the eligible age for vaccination is 18 years and older, the same as existing vaccines.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.