Sichuan extends reach of COVID-19 vaccine

In southwestern Sichuan province, more COVID-19 vaccines are being purchased and more people will be urgently inoculated, according to the provincial Health Commission.

Those who will be urgently vaccinated include people in high-risk groups, such as medical workers in hospitals designated to receive COVID-19 patients. In addition, workers in fever clinics, at border crossings and entry ports, people who work in places with high risk of infection and government personnel who support the basic operations of cities, according to the commission.

Liang Zong'an, head of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at West China Hospital of Sichuan University, said in a video interview with a local news media on Monday that his department received a notice of vaccination on Oct 20. Department employees could be vaccinated on their own authority. Liang said he was vaccinated on Nov 11.

Vaccination requires two doses, at 200 yuan ($30.40) per vial. The vaccination service fee is 28 yuan per dose, Liang said.