Beilun offers COVID-19 vaccines for foreigners, compatriots

A foreigner receives a COVID-19 vaccine shot at a hospital in Ningbo's Beilun district on April 22. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Ningbo's Beilun district provided COVID-19 vaccine inoculations to 93 foreigners, as well as compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan on April 22.

The group of people was the first batch of recipients not from the Chinese mainland to receive COVID-19 vaccines in the district.

Foreigners with local medical insurance certificates can apply for free COVID-19 vaccines, while those without the certificates can register for vaccinations and will be charged 100 yuan ($15.38) for a vaccine shot.

Compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan with Chinese mainland residence permits or medical insurance certificates can make appointments for free vaccinations on the basis of willingness and informed consent, which is the same policy and procedure governing mainland residents.

To date, more than 200 foreigners working in the district have expressed willingness to receive domestic COVID-19 vaccines, local public security authorities said.    

A foreigner receives a COVID-19 vaccine shot at a hospital in Ningbo's Beilun district on April 22. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]