Foreigners find smooth vaccine handling in Tianjin

The coronavirus vaccination service provided for foreigners in Tianjin has gone smoothly since it began this month. Many foreigners have received their shots after making an appointment at a hospital.

Volunteer language translators are available for those who need help during the process. They make sure the foreigners are fully informed of the possible side effects of vaccines and keep an eye out for any difficulties.

Michael Hart, chairman, AmCham China, Tianjin, who received his first dose on Monday, told China Daily: "The process was very smooth. I was able to get a copy of the vaccine rules in both English and Chinese and review it in advance. The service on the day was very smooth."

He said he felt "a little tender right afterward" but didn't experience any allergic reaction or other negative effects.

Members of the chambers in different areas of Tianjin have received information from local communities. After registration, some have received the vaccinations voluntarily.

Hart said, "For health reasons, it is important to get the vaccine as soon as possible. We can't really open the borders and get the economy back to normal until a sufficient number of people get vaccinated. … so by getting the shots I'm also helping China open for business again."

Tianjin has beefed up its effort to provide efficient services for foreigners, including multilingual guidelines and more community services.

For example, on TEDA Street in coastal Binhai New Area, which has a concentration of foreign residents, a local committee has launched a pilot survey of foreign residents in the area in advance to keep everyone informed.

Sonia Marcel Agonz Alezcu Billos, a kindergarten teacher from Colombia who lives on TEDA Street, said, "I learned that Tianjin has started offering novel coronavirus vaccines to foreigners, and I saw that some foreign friends had been vaccinated, so I came around to the idea of vaccinating.

"The whole process is very smooth and convenient. The medical personnel here are very nice and friendly. I do appreciate it," she said.

Local authorities noted that those foreigners who have joined China's social medical insurance can get the vaccination free of charge by presenting an insurance document at the vaccination site. Those who have not will be asked to pay out of pocket.