China Surpasses 500 Million COVID-19 Vaccinations... "100 Million Doses Administered in One Week"

"Over 80% of the Population Vaccinated Within the Year" Goal
Plan to Significantly Increase Vaccine Production in the Second Half of the Year

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Chinese government announced that the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has surpassed 500 million, with over 100 million additional doses given in just one week after crossing 400 million. China plans to maximize vaccine production starting in the second half of this year to achieve herd immunity by vaccinating 80% of its population by the end of the year, ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics next year.

According to local media including the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 25th, the National Health Commission of China reported that as of the 23rd, a total of 510.86 million vaccine doses had been administered in China, surpassing the 500 million mark. The Chinese government emphasized that this achievement came just seven days after crossing 400 million doses on the 16th.

SCMP reported that the Chinese government is accelerating the pace of vaccinations to achieve herd immunity within the year. It took about 25 days to reach the first 100 million doses, but then only 16 days to reach 200 million doses, and another 9 days to surpass 300 million doses, showing a gradual increase in speed. The state-run Xinhua News Agency praised this as "China's speed," stating, "Vaccination is gaining momentum, and the 'Great Wall of Immunity' is being rapidly built."

The Chinese government has set a goal to complete vaccination for more than 1.1 billion people, which is over 80% of the 1.4 billion population, by the end of the year to ensure the successful hosting of the Beijing Winter Olympics next year and to achieve herd immunity. To this end, more than 1.2 billion vaccine doses will be required, exceeding the current supply, and plans are in place to significantly increase vaccine production starting in the second half of the year.

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