Q&A: COVID-19 booster shots

1. Can I get a COVID-19 booster shot?

COVID-19 booster shots are prioritized for four groups of people who have completed vaccination.

- Those at higher risk of contracting the virus, such as port, customs, aviation and health workers

- Those over 60 and individuals with weak immune systems

- Those planning to travel to high-risk areas

- People who will take part in major international or national events

- Members of the general public aged 18 and above can also apply for a booster shot if they meet requirements.

Caution: Those who experienced allergic reactions during their first or second COVID-19 vaccinations are not recommended to get a booster.

2. How long do I have to wait to get a COVID-19 booster shot after full vaccination?

People can receive a COVID-19 booster shot at least 6 months (180 days) after full vaccination.

3. How can I get a COVID-19 booster shot?

Groups prioritized to receive booster shots will be vaccinated according to the unified arrangements of their industries or work units.

Members of the general public can register and make an appointment via their work units, organizations, communities of residence or vaccination sites to get a booster.

4. Which type of COVID-19 vaccines can be used as booster shot?

COVID-19 vaccines that can be used as a booster shot include the inactivated virus vaccines developed by Sinopharm's Beijing Institute of Biological Products, Sinopharm's Wuhan Institute of Biological Products or Sinovac Biotech, as well as the adenovirus vector vaccine developed by CanSino Biologics.

5. How does the COVID-19 booster shot work?

After a full vaccination, neutralizing antibodies will subside after a period of time. However, the body will have already produced corresponding memory-B cells.

When a booster shot is administered, it will induce memory-B cells to proliferate rapidly and produce antibodies so the human body can maintain high immunity again.

6. How long does it take for antibody levels to increase after getting a COVID-19 booster shot?

After two weeks, neutralizing antibodies in individuals inoculated with a booster shot will be 10 to 30 times higher than before.

Even six months after the booster shot, the body's antibodies can still be maintained at a relatively high level.

7. Which areas in China have already started offering COVID-19 booster shots?

According to incomplete statistics, inoculation campaigns of COVID-19 booster shots have started in 19 provincial-level regions.

8. Are there enough supplies of COVID-19 booster shots?

China has already produced and supplied close to 2.5 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

The annual production capacity has exceeded 8 billion doses, which is more than enough to satisfy the domestic need of COVID-19 booster shots as well as the demands of the global market.