A resident is inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine at a community health center in the Hefei National High-Tech Industry Development Zone on Dec 27, 2020. [Photo/WeChat account: hefeigaoxinfabu]

The Hefei National High-Tech Industry Development Zone in Hefei, capital of Anhui province in East China, started vaccinations for key groups on Dec 27 as part of its COVID-19 epidemic control and prevention measures, which was earlier than most areas in the country.

People that were vaccinated mainly included international students, medical workers, and workers dealing with cold-chain products, who belong to key groups designated by the national health authority as eligible for receiving the first batch of vaccinations.

At the Shunantingyuan community health center, the first place in the zone to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine, a special COVID-19 vaccination site has been set up on its third floor, including a waiting area, a pre-inspection registration room, a vaccination room, as well as an observation area.

The vaccine recipients needed to remain at the observation area for 30 minutes after their vaccination so that medical workers at the location can monitor their condition and quickly handle any potential issues should they occur.

China has started offering free shots of COVID-19 vaccines among key groups of individuals, and will expand the range to other groups in the future, according to the national health authority.