(CFP Photo)

The Jiangsu Provincial Health Commission introduced the COVID-19 vaccine plan and responded to public concerns about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine on December 28.

Zhou Minghao, deputy director of the commission, said China will start inoculating key groups with COVID-19 vaccine in this winter-spring period in accordance with the country’s Vaccine Administration Law.

The eastern province has identified five key groups to receive the vaccine in the first batch, namely those engaged in handling imported cold-chain products, people who plan to study or work abroad, people working in port inspection and quarantine, medical professionals, and those in transport sector.

After the priority groups receive vaccine, Jiangsu will roll out the program to cover all people in line with the country’s overall work arrangement.

Zhou also said the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine was developed following the typical and standard procedures. The WHO guidelines are requiring that a vaccine be at least 50 percent effective in order to be granted emergency use, and the vaccine protected 92 percent of people against the virus in the latest data.

It takes about ten days for the vaccine to produce antibodies after it has been administered. After vaccination, it is important to continue to stay vigilant against the virus, said Li Shaodong, also deputy director of the commission.