Anhui has started appointment-based COVID-19 vaccination for foreigners in the province pursuant to the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council. From May 10, Anhui will include the foreigners of appropriate ages in the province into the program of getting the domestically-developed COVID-19 vaccine (in the marketing stage) on the basis that they are informed, voluntary and willing to be inoculated at their own costs and bear corresponding risks.

Q1: What is the age requirement for COVID-19 vaccination?

Foreign nationals (officers in Embassies or Consulates General in China, and the Chinese of foreign nationalities are not included ) at the age of 18 and above in Anhui are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.

Q2: What type of vaccine will be used?

China's domestic inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell) will be used, and two doses are required.

Q3: How to make an appointment for vaccination?

1) if foreign nationals are employed, they can make the appointment through the employer, and their employer will collect all the information and book for its employees with the local health department; 2) individuals can book the vaccination appointment directly with the local designated hospitals.

Q4: What documents should be provided for vaccination?

Foreign nationals should provide valid documents when making appointments and present their passports and valid residence permits at the vaccination site. Please make sure that relevant documents are valid on the date of taking each dose.

Q5: What papers should I sign?

Before taking vaccine, you should sign both a form of informed consent and a statement of bearing personal responsibility for all risks associated with vaccination. Please take necessary precautions and inform the vaccine giving personnel of your health condition so that they can decide whether you can take vaccine.

Q6: Should I pay for the vaccine?

Foreign nationals who have joined Anhui's social medical insurance scheme may take vaccine free of charge by presenting due insurance document on the vaccine taking site. Those who have not should currently pay a charge of 100 yuan ($15.53) per dose.

Q7: What care should I take after taking vaccine?

You should stay at the vaccine taking site for 30 minutes of observation and may then leave if you have no adverse reaction. Keep the injection point dry on the day of vaccination and maintain personal hygiene. You should immediately seek medical help and alert the vaccine provider if you develop a persistent fever. 

Q8: How do I get the vaccination certificate?

When completing the vaccination, you can get the COVID-19 vaccination certificate from the staff at the vaccination site.

Q9: Do I need to wear a mask after being vaccinated?

Vaccination will produce immunity from COVID-19 and greatly reduce infection risks. However, no vaccine is 100% effective; some people may have insufficient antibodies after taking vaccine and they can still be vulnerable to infection, especially when an immunologic barrier is not yet created. Therefore, it is important that you should wear masks, wash hands regularly, and keep social distance.

Q10: Do I still have to take nucleic acid test after being vaccinated? Can my vaccine taking certificate substitute for nucleic acid test report?

Vaccine taking can reduce infection risks, but no vaccine is 100% effective. When necessary, foreign nationals should still take nucleic test as required.