Children as young as 3 to be vaccinated in GD

According to Guangdong Disease Control and Prevention authorities, yesterday (October 27) it was announced that in order to further establish an effective immune barrier against COVID-19 across the whole of society, and in accordance with the unified deployment of national and provincial joint virus control measures, Guangdong has now launched vaccinations for people aged 3-11 across the board. 

Various places across China have already begun to allow children aged 3-11 to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and preliminary studies show that safety levels remain high. 

China’s most widely used vaccines, including Sinopharm and Sinovac, including Sinopharm’s vaccine from the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products, will be used for those in this age bracket. 

In June of 2021, China gave approval for two vaccines - Sinopharm’s vaccine from the Beijing Institute of Biological Products as well as Sinovac to be used in children from the age of 3 to 17. Later, in August, regulators also approved Sinopharm’s vaccine from the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products. 

After the approval was granted, various foreign countries using the Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines began to use the vaccines in children as young as six, including Cambodia and Chile. Meanwhile, Sinopharm was also approved by Argentina to be used in children as young as 3. 

The vaccines are to be administered on a voluntary basis with permission from parents or guardians, who must be well informed before allowing their children to be vaccinated. Parents can consult with schools or local vaccination sites to arrange a time for their kids to get the jabs. 

Children who have shown allergic reactions in the past to vaccines and those who currently have a fever or COVID-like symptoms will not be permitted to receive the vaccinations. Also, vaccines may be denied to children in this age bracket if medical professionals deem it unsafe for any individual minor to receive the shots. 

As of October 25, approximately 76% percent of China’s total population had been vaccinated against COVID-19. Previously, China’s leading respiratory expert, Zhong Nanshan, said in an interview that 80%-85% of the population should be vaccinated against the virus before any border restrictions are eased. With current vaccination rates, that target could be achieved by the end of this year, especially now that more regions of China are allowing vaccinations for people as young as 3. 

In the same interview given to the Southern People Weekly magazine, Zhong Nanshan stated that maintaining the strictest epidemic control measures would be unsustainable. 

In addition, experts have noted that having a highly vaccinated population prior to the Beijing 2022 Olympics will help ensure that the Games run smoothly and that the health of all participants will be better protected. 

According to the notice issued by Guangdong authorities, special attention should be paid to the health of children after receiving vaccines. For the week following receiving the jabs, parents have been advised to provide a mild diet to their children, allow them to obtain sufficient rest, and avoid strenuous exercise.

Written by Hazza Harding 

Posted by Xie Ziyao

Producer: Michelle Luo Liting

Executive Producer: Lin Weiqing