About 3.32 million people have been vaccinated against the novel coronavirus as of Sunday in Guangdong, the most populous province of the country, and the number is growing steadily.

The first stage of vaccination in the province has largely been completed. It prioritizes people with relatively high risk of exposure at work, risk of infection overseas and people in key jobs that sustain the smooth running of society, said Huang Fei, deputy director of the provincial health commission.

In the current stage, people aged between 18 and 59 have priority. In a later stage, people above 59, those who have underlying medical conditions or who desire vaccination will receive vaccination, he said at a news conference in Guangzhou on Monday, adding that people with some urgency, including the elderly who are in sound physical condition, can receive a vaccination now.

In the current stage, counties and districts with entry-and-exit ports will focus on people aged 18 to 59. Places without such ports will focus on susceptible people, such as those working in the service sector and in labor-intensive industries, plus college students and school staff members.

Huang encouraged all people suitable for vaccination to get the shots to build up herd immunity as soon as possible and accelerate the normalization of life and work order.