(Fighting against New Coronary Pneumonia) It is "very urgent" for China to increase the vaccination rate of the elderly's New Coronary Vaccination

  China News Agency, Beijing, December 1st: China has reached a "very urgent" time to increase the vaccination rate of the elderly's new crown vaccine

  China News Agency reporter Li Chun

  On November 26, a new death case of a 91-year-old male from the new crown was added in Chongqing.

This is the seventh death from the new crown announced in mainland China within 8 days since November 19.

The seven deceased were all over 80 years old and had underlying diseases.

  At the press conference of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council on November 29, Guo Yanhong, director of the Medical Emergency Department of the National Health and Health Commission, listed three groups with a tendency to be severely ill with new coronary pneumonia. The first is the elderly population over 60 years old, "80 Elderly people over the age of 10 are the high-risk groups for severe illness."

  The above conclusions are supported by data.

As of April 25, a total of 190 deaths were reported in this spring outbreak in Shanghai, with an average age of 82.52 years.

Among them, death cases over 60 years old accounted for 94.7% of the total, and death cases over 70 years old accounted for 86.32%.

  According to media reports on November 28, the cumulative number of deaths since the fifth wave of the epidemic in Hong Kong has exceeded 10,000, and the median age is 86; among them, the proportion of elderly people aged 60 and above is also quite high, exceeding 95%.

  The Omicron mutant strain of the novel coronavirus that caused the outbreaks in Shanghai and Hong Kong is also the main epidemic strain of the current local epidemic in China.

According to Chang Zhaorui, a researcher at the Communication and Prevention Department of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, on November 29, people with underlying diseases, advanced age, and those who have not been vaccinated may still experience a certain proportion of severe illness if they are infected with the Omicron variant.

  It is worth noting that since November, the 4 new crown deaths in Beijing have been clinically diagnosed as mild.

Some experts pointed out that the direct cause of death of many new crown deaths is not the new crown virus infection, but the deterioration of the underlying disease after infection.

  "Patients with underlying diseases" is the second high-risk group listed by Guo Yanhong, which is also extremely common among the elderly.

The infection of the new coronavirus can induce the aggravation of a series of basic diseases. For the elderly with basic diseases, it is necessary to intervene in the early stage of treatment to avoid the deterioration of the condition.

  If the third type of high-risk group is added, that is, "not vaccinated", the harm caused by the new crown epidemic to the elderly will be even greater.

Chang Zhaorui pointed out that the existing vaccines still have a good effect on reducing the severe disease and death caused by the infection of the Omicron mutant strain.

Guo Yanhong also suggested that those 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 complete the enhanced vaccination as soon as possible.

  At present, China's local epidemic is showing a severe and complicated situation with a wide range of transmission, multiple transmission chains, and the expansion of the epidemic. Some places are facing the most complicated and severe situation in the three years since the fight against the epidemic.

Under such circumstances, can the coverage of the new crown virus vaccine for the elderly cope with the "unprecedented pressure" of the current epidemic prevention and control?

  Judging from the vaccination data, there are still some shortcomings in related aspects.

  As of November 28, the number of people over the age of 60 covered by the new crown virus vaccine and the number of full-time vaccinations accounted for 90.68% and 86.42% of the elderly population respectively, and 181.511 million people had completed enhanced immunization; among them, the elderly over the age of 80 The number of people covered and the number of full vaccinations accounted for 76.6% and 65.8% of the population over the age of 80, respectively, and 14.456 million people completed enhanced immunization.

  This data has not increased much compared with the value announced at the press conference of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council on November 12.

Also at this press conference, Chang Jile, deputy director of the National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention, pointed out in response to a question from a reporter from China News Agency that China's total number of new crown vaccinations ranks among the best in the world, but the vaccination rate of people over 80 years old is indeed not very high. .

"It is very necessary and important to increase the full vaccination rate and booster injections for the elderly, and it is very urgent."

  In fact, accelerating the vaccination of the elderly against the new crown virus has been a key content of China's epidemic prevention and control for some time.

Under the current epidemic situation caused by the mutant strain of Omicron, this work has more practical significance.

  On November 29, China officially issued the "Work Plan for Strengthening New Crown Virus Vaccination for the Elderly", proposing to accelerate the increase in the vaccination rate of people over 80 years old, and continue to increase the vaccination rate of people aged 60 to 79.

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

Some experts pointed out that such an adjustment is scientific and reasonable, and it can have a better immune effect on the elderly.

On November 30, Sun Chunlan, Vice Premier of the State Council of China, held a symposium at the National Health Commission to listen to the opinions and suggestions of relevant experts on optimizing and improving prevention and control measures.

She emphasized at the meeting that it is necessary to strengthen the immunization of the whole population, especially the elderly.

  Set up green channels, temporary vaccination sites, mobile vaccination vehicles, and provide door-to-door vaccination services... China continues to optimize deployment and continue to promote the vaccination of the elderly against the new crown virus.

At the same time, Chinese officials also made it clear that "it is necessary to carefully and meticulously explain to the elderly, patiently answer the inquiries of the elderly, and pay attention to the physical condition of the elderly."

As Xia Gang, director of the Department of Health and Immunization of the National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention, said at a press conference on November 29: "We also hope to provide better services for the elderly to receive the new crown virus vaccine by increasing the temperature of vaccination services. "(Finish)