People receive Covid-19 vaccines at a temporary vaccination center in Beijing on January 8
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China administered it more than 9 million doses of coronavirus vaccine, as the country has a possible increase in infections during the winter.
About 7.5 million doses have been given since December 15, Beijing officials said. Vaccinations are free for all citizens and the costs are covered by the medical aid and fiscal budgets, they said.
China sees a greater risk of the virus spreading in the winter as people travel and congregate for holidays, National Health Commission deputy chief Zeng Yixin told reporters.
The vaccination was initially focused on high-risk population groups because production capacity could not keep up, Zeng said. Capacity is now gradually increasing and this will allow the administration of doses to the general public, he said, without giving a timeline.
China is “active, open and supportive” of a visit to Wuhan by the World Health Organization to investigate the origin of the virus, Zeng said. China has set up its own experts to work with WHO experts in Wuhan. The timing of the WTO team’s arrival in China is still being confirmed, he said.
– Assisted by John Liu and Dingmin Zhang
(Add comment on the cost of the vaccine, WHO in the second last paragraphs)