AFP extension
ANNOUNCEMENTS•
Germans living in China can travel to embassies and consulates in the coming weeks for the BioNTech/Pfizer corona vaccine. A first load of doses is already on its way to Beijing, according to the German government.
Previously, the Chinese authorities had already given their green light for the vaccinations. The BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine is not allowed in China, which has developed its own coronavirus vaccine.
The reason for the German action is the rapid spread of the corona virus in China now that the zero-covid policy has been released. All Germans aged 12 and over living in China can get the free shot. This affects both first injections and boosters.
According to the German government, there are around 20,000 German citizens in China. The embassy in Beijing says the vaccination campaign was made possible in part by Chancellor Scholz’s visit to President Xi in early November. Conversely, the Chinese in Germany can now get the Chinese Sinovac vaccine. This is not allowed in the European Union.
Wave of infections
China relaxed in early december after unique protests, the strict crown policy of recent years. This was intended to nip the outbreaks in the bud.
Due to the numerous lockdowns, the natural immunity of the Chinese is relatively low. Vaccination rates are also lower than in Europe. The Sinovac vaccine also protects less well and for less time than vaccines from BioNTech or Moderna, for example.
In the last week, more and more have arrived from China reports of heavy pressure on hospitals and crowds in morgues. Epidemiologists take into account that about 60% of the Chinese population will contract the coronavirus in the coming months. That would be more than 800 million infections.
