"Strengthening the New Coronary Virus Vaccination Work Plan for the Elderly" issued

Accelerate the increase in the vaccination rate of people over 80 years old

Continue to increase the vaccination rate of people aged 60-79

　　Our reporter Shen Shaotie

　　On November 29, the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council issued the "Work Plan for Strengthening the New Coronary Virus Vaccination of the Elderly" (hereinafter referred to as the "Plan"), which requires optimizing services, providing convenience, taking multiple measures, strengthening mobilization, and accelerating the promotion of people over 80 years old. The vaccination rate will continue to increase among people aged 60-79.

　　What is the vaccination status of the new crown virus vaccination among the elderly over 60 years old in my country?

What is the significance of doing a good job of vaccination for the elderly?

The reporter recently interviewed relevant persons in charge and experts.

　　The vaccination rate of the elderly in my country is not low, but there are large differences between different age groups

　　According to data released by the National Health and Medical Commission, as of November 28, the number of people over the age of 60 in my country covered by vaccination was 239.4 million, and the number of people who had completed the full course of vaccination was 228.165 million. 90.68% and 86.42% of the population, 181.511 million people completed booster immunization.

Among them, 27.426 million people over the age of 80 were vaccinated, and 23.563 million people had completed the full course of vaccination. The number of people covered and the number of people over the age of 80 were 76.6% and 65.8%, respectively. 40% of the population over the age of 10.

At present, there are still about 25 million people over the age of 60 who have not been vaccinated.

　　"Overall, the vaccination rate of the elderly in our country is not low, but there are large differences between different age groups, and the vaccination rate of the elderly over 80 years old is low." Xia Gang, director of the Department of Health and Immunization of the National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention, introduced during grassroots research It was found in the study that the elderly who have not yet been vaccinated often have three situations: First, they have insufficient awareness of the risk of infection with the new coronavirus, and feel that their daily activities are limited and they have fewer opportunities to be exposed to the virus; second, some have underlying diseases and are worried about vaccination. There will be abnormal reactions and concerns about vaccination; third, some elderly people are disabled or semi-disabled, so they feel that vaccination is inconvenient.

"Next, we must increase the vaccination rate of the elderly as a whole, and at the same time focus on the vaccination of the elderly over the age of 80." Xia Gang said.

　　Vaccination can effectively reduce the risk of severe illness and death

　　Some people have doubts about the safety and effectiveness of my country's new coronavirus vaccine, and believe that vaccination for the elderly may be dangerous.

Experts say that this understanding is wrong.

　　The safety of my country's new coronavirus vaccine is guaranteed, and the adverse reaction rate is very low.

Up to now, five new coronavirus vaccines in my country have been approved for marketing with conditions, among which three vaccines including Sinobio, Kexing Zhongwei, and CanSino have passed the emergency use certification of the World Health Organization.

Recently, the new crown virus vaccine produced by Sinovac has become the world's first new crown virus vaccine recommended by the World Health Organization to extend the age of use to 3 years old and above.

　　"Our country's new crown virus vaccine is very safe for the elderly. 3.4 billion doses have been vaccinated domestically, and more than 2 billion doses have been provided overseas. The adverse reaction monitoring of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the safety of the new crown virus vaccine is the same as our perennial The safety of other vaccines vaccinated is equivalent, and the incidence of adverse reactions of the elderly is slightly lower than that of young people. The heads of government and heads of state of more than 30 countries around the world have been vaccinated with our vaccines, and they are all safe. The people over 60 years old in the world More than 1 billion doses of China's new crown vaccine have been vaccinated by more than 100 million people, all of which have shown good safety." Zheng Zhongwei, head of the vaccine research and development team of the Scientific Research Team of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, said.

　　Elderly people and patients with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of severe illness and death after infection with the new coronavirus.

Guo Yanhong, director of the Medical Emergency Department of the National Health and Health Commission, said that the elderly over 60 years old are at risk of severe illness after being infected with the new coronavirus, especially the elderly over 80 years old are a high-risk group for severe illness.

In clinical practice, people with basic diseases, especially those with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, tumors, chronic renal insufficiency and other diseases, are at higher risk of severe illness after being infected with the new coronavirus.

　　"Vaccination can effectively reduce the risk of severe illness and death. It is recommended that people who have no contraindications and meet the vaccination requirements, especially the elderly, should receive the new crown vaccine as soon as possible, and those who meet the conditions for enhanced vaccination should receive enhanced vaccination as soon as possible." Guo Yanhong said.

　　The protective effect of vaccination against the new coronavirus is more obvious for the elderly over 80 years old.

Zheng Zhongwei introduced that after the elderly over the age of 80 are infected with the new crown virus, if they do not get a shot of the vaccine, the risk of death is about 14.7%. to 1.5%.

"I call on the elderly over the age of 80 to speed up vaccination, especially booster vaccination."

　　The time interval between the first dose of booster immunization and the full vaccination is adjusted to more than 3 months

　　Can elderly people with underlying diseases be vaccinated against the new coronavirus?

　　Zheng Zhongwei said that judging from the vaccination situation at home and abroad, chronic diseases are not contraindications for vaccination against the new crown virus, including patients with chronic diseases such as tumors, high blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Not contraindicated for vaccination.

Medical personnel should scientifically determine contraindications to vaccination, such as severe allergic reactions during previous vaccinations, such as anaphylactic shock and laryngeal edema.

The acute infectious disease is in the febrile stage and the vaccination is suspended.

Severe chronic diseases are in the acute attack stage, such as tumor patients undergoing chemotherapy, patients with hypertensive crisis, patients with coronary heart disease having myocardial infarction, and autoimmune nervous system diseases in the advanced stage, etc. to suspend vaccination.

　　"Elderly people who live in a narrow range and live at home should also be vaccinated." Zheng Zhongwei analyzed that the Omicron mutant strain is highly contagious.

Even if a relative is an asymptomatic infected person, once they return home to visit the elderly, they are likely to transmit the virus to the elderly.

　　The "Proposal" proposes a combination of different routes of new crown vaccines for the elderly to receive booster vaccines.

Zheng Zhongwei said that no matter which combination is based on scientific clinical research and real-world research, it has undergone strict expert demonstration.

　　The "Plan" adjusts the time interval between the first dose of booster immunization and the full vaccination to more than 3 months.

Zheng Zhongwei said that the study found that the effectiveness of the 3-month interval and the 6-month interval are basically the same, and the safety is guaranteed.

It was shortened to 3 months. After the scientific demonstration by the expert group of the vaccine research and development team of the joint prevention and control mechanism scientific research team of the State Council, it was submitted to the relevant departments for approval.

Now most countries around the world have also shortened the interval to 3 or 4 months.

　　"Next, for the vaccination work of the elderly, we will work harder on the convenience and optimization of vaccination services." Xia Gang said that on the basis of previous work experience, we will continue to open green channels.

Temporary vaccination sites will be set up in various places and some mobile vaccination vehicles will be arranged to facilitate the vaccination of the elderly.

For the disabled and semi-disabled elderly, medical personnel with rich experience in diagnosis, treatment and vaccination will be arranged to provide vaccination services.

　　"People's Daily" (Version 04, December 4, 2022)