Vaccinations help stave off serious symptoms, death, experts say

Health and disease control experts suggest the public take COVID-19 vaccines to reduce the risk of severe infections or deaths, even though the Omicron variant has lower pathogenicity.

Wang Huaqing, chief expert at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday that people who are unvaccinated may be at greater risk of experiencing severe symptoms or even death after being infected by the Omicron variant. In particular, vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions have a greater chance of experiencing such problems.

"The risks, however, can be reduced by taking vaccines. So we suggest the elderly and youths to finish their vaccination series and get booster shots to lower the risks," he said.

Wang Guiqiang, director of the infectious disease department at Peking University First Hospital, added at the news conference that though the Omicron variant has lower pathogenicity, contracting it can result in debilitating symptoms such as high fever, muscle aches and sore throat.

"It's very important for the elderly and people with underlying diseases, as well as people who haven't been vaccinated, to protect themselves well to avoid the first wave of infection (since the government adjusted epidemic prevention measures)," he said.

He said that hospitals and medical institutes may face greater challenges receiving and treating patients due to a surge of infections.

"Cases are rising quickly, but this will slow down as time goes on. However, the epidemic may fluctuate with the Spring Festival travel rush approaching and people resuming their social activities in the near future. It's expected that residents will achieve herd immunity to a certain extent, and thus there will be a decline in morbidity," he said.