[Explanation] At present, many places in China have issued a "timetable" for minors' new crown vaccination.
What is the reason for the approval of minors to be vaccinated at this time? Is it safe for minors to be vaccinated?
On July 15, relevant experts made an interpretation.
[Explanation] According to the published information, Suzhou, Anhui and Fuyang started and completed the first dose of vaccination for people aged 15-17 in July; Guangxi will start the new crown virus vaccination work for people aged 12-17 in three steps from July; Jiangsu Changzhou and Jingzhou, Hubei will start the first vaccination for people aged 12-17 years from August 1.
[Explanation] Wang Guiqiang, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Peking University First Hospital, believes that the insufficient supply of early vaccines is an important reason for restricting age-based injection.
With the continuous improvement of clinical research data and the continuous increase of vaccine supply, the country will gradually expand the target population of vaccination.
[Concurrent] Wang Guiqiang, Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital
The main reason for the lack of large-scale campaigns was the priority, that is, the elderly and high-risk populations were given priority, and the vaccine production capacity was guaranteed to be sufficient, and the vaccine could be started at the age of 3-17.
[Explanation] Data show that as of July 13, 2021, China has reported a total of 1402.019 million doses of new coronavirus vaccine.
Wang Guiqiang said that the safety of the vaccine has been effectively verified, and minors can be assured of being vaccinated.
[Concurrent] Wang Guiqiang, Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital
Because the overall safety data of the entire vaccine is very good, and the phase II clinical trial of 3-17 years old is safe and effective, including some specific data, it is also approved for emergency use at 3-17 years old, so emergency use is especially You can use it when it's popular.
[Explanation] Wang Guiqiang said frankly that although China's new crown vaccination has exceeded 1.4 billion doses, there is still a certain distance from achieving herd immunity for more than 80% of the population. The country needs to gradually promote the vaccination of minors in balancing production capacity and priority. .
Reporter Liu Chao reports from Beijing
Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]