Xi'an launches mass vaccination drive

Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi province, has launched a mass free COVID-19 inoculation days after the city reported a locally transmitted coronavirus case involving a medical worker.

The vaccination kicked off soon after the city government held a teleconference to plan and advance the task, presided over by mayor Li Mingyuan on Monday.

"Vaccination is crucial for the prevention and control of COVID-19. We must strictly follow the national and provincial requirements to form herd immunity as soon as possible, laying a solid foundation for China's 14th National Games to be held in Xi'an in September," he said.

To facilitate the inoculation drive, all districts, counties and development zones of the city would set up special leading groups to oversee the vaccination. Qualified heath facilities citywide would be prepared to give the shots, according to Li.

Locals aged 18 to 59 are eligible to apply for the vaccination, according to the local health department. Those aged 60 and older can also get the vaccine if they have no underlying conditions.

On March 18, Xi'an reported a locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 case involving a medical worker.

Surnamed Liu, the worker, 36, handled nucleic acid sampling and laboratory testing for coronavirus sufferers at Xi'an Eighth Hospital, designated for dealing with COVID-19 cases.

She was later confirmed by local health authorities as a coronavirus vaccine recipient who had finished two doses of the vaccine in a previous inoculation round for groups at higher risk.

At the Monday teleconference, Li Mingyuan urged strengthened publicity and guidance on the current mass vaccination by actively promoting vaccine-related knowledge through online and offline outlets to help eliminate public doubts.