Zhuhai’s frontline workers and other vulnerable staffers will be vaccinated against Covid-19 by 5 February, the Hengqin government has said.
Priority will be given to first responders, frontline workers at Zhuhai’s designated medical organisations commissioned by the government, frontline workers at quarantine locations, public transit workers, people in direct contact with imported frozen food, nurses performing Covid-19 tests, and cross-border drivers.
Mainland China started vaccinating its citizens last December. Zhuhai started administering vaccines on 3 December at two government hospitals.
Zhuhai’s Municipal Health Commission ruled that the first group of people to be vaccinated should include cross-border travellers.
As of 29 December, over 30,000 people in Zhuhai had received vaccinations.
No unusual side effects from the Covid-19 vaccine have been reported, according to health authorities. Among those who have received the vaccine, are more than 600 workers from companies involved in frozen food importation. Lawmaker Vong Hin Fai is reportedly one of the Macaopoliticians who has been vaccinated in Zhuhai under the arrangements of the Liaison Office of the SAR.
Delegates of the National People’s Congress and members of the Chinese People Political Consultative Conference have also received the injections.
Vong and the others who have received the shot are preparing for a series of political events in Beijing which usually take place in March.
The Zhuhai government said that more of its residents will become eligible for vaccination as supply increases. Residents are being vaccinated for free as is the rest of mainland China.
On the Macao side, local authorities expect to start administering vaccines to members of the public within the first quarter of this year.
The local government has made it clear that both local residents and non-residents who hold study visas or work visas will not be charged for the vaccine.
The government has estimated it will cost MOP 500 to administer each dose of the vaccine.
(Macao News)
