City in Guangdong approves 3rd jab

By ZHENG CAIXIONG in Guangzhou | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2021-09-23 15:11

A person receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site in Jiangxia district in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, June 9, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

Residents of Shanwei, Guangdong province, who are 18 to 59 years old and have received two doses of coronavirus vaccine at least six months ago can get a third jab to strengthen their immunity against COVID-19 starting in late September.

Zhejiang and Henan provinces will also begin administering third doses of the vaccine for residents later this month, local health authorities have said.

According to a statement released by the Shanwei City Health Commission on Thursday, priority for the booster shot will be given to the front-line staff of medical institutions and workers in government departments, law enforcement, public services, customs, border ports, harbors, the cold-chain industry and those who want to study abroad.

Research has shown that a person's antibody level will be increased more than tenfold if the third dose of vaccine is injected after the second dose has been at work for more than half a year.

After a third dose, immunity will be maintained at a relatively high level for another six months, the commission said.

Shanwei, located in eastern Guangdong province, is the first in Guangdong to allow its residents to get a third dose of vaccine. Many of the residents in the city received their second dose more than six months ago.