The past month has a seen a new expression enter our local lexicon; “二阳” meaning “second positive” in reference to being infected with COVID for a second time. And that time is now. Hence, time for new vaccines, available from today.
Many have recently reported a sore throat, fever, a cough, nasal congestion, runny nose and/or just general fatigue.
While the change in the weather, especially the emergence of Nanjing’s infamous catkins at this time of year, is largely responsible, there are also growing numbers who have found these to be a sign they have once again contracted COVID.
This is hardly news. According to laboratory and real-world studies, the antibodies produced after infection with COVID can protect the human body for 4-6 months. Hence we are now in the ballpark for a second round of infections, meaning the release of two new vaccinations is well timed.
The first of those is SYS6006, a mRNA vaccine developed by Shijiazhuang Pharmaceutical Group (pictured). Given market approval back in March, the vaccine was first administered in the company’s home city on 13 May.
Then there is the 4-valent vaccine developed by Beijing’s Sinocelltech, which contains the antigenic components of four variants of COVID; Alpha, Beta, Delta and Omicron.
According to a “Vaccination Work Plan for Responding to the Recent COVID Infection Epidemic”, it is recommended that two major categories and four subcategories of target groups should complete the vaccination as soon as possible to fully build up an immune barrier.
Among them are people aged 3-17 who have not been infected and not completed basic immunisation, and people over the age of 18 who have not been infected and not completed a first and second immunisation booster.
Then there are high-risk groups, including those susceptible to infection, seniors over 60 years, those with serious underlying diseases, those with a low immunity, and and those over 3 years old who have been infected but not obtained basic immunity.
As Nanjing Daily has reported, the new vaccinations have started being rolled out today, 29 May, at many community-health-service centres in all 11 of our city’s districts, plus Jiangbei New Area. The Nanjinger reproduces an initial list of providers, courtesy Purple Mountain News, below.
