An international student receives a COVID-19 vaccine dose at a vaccination site in Hefei, East China's Anhui province on May 12. [Photo/hefei.gov.cn]

East China's Anhui province has started appointment-based COVID-19 vaccinations for foreigners on May 10.

On May 12, five international students received a COVID-19 vaccine after making appointments in Hefei, capital of Anhui, becoming the first foreigners to get the vaccine in the province, local media reported.

Foreigners may book the vaccination appointments by themselves or through employers on the basis that they are informed, voluntary, as well as willing to be inoculated at their own costs and bear corresponding risks, according to the Foreign Affairs Office of Anhui Provincial People's Government.

Before inoculation, foreigners will be required to sign a letter of informed consent, disclaimer, and other documents according to the given procedures. They should also ensure their personal protection and detail their health status truthfully to the on-site medical professionals who will decide if they are suitable for inoculation or not.

Each foreigner who is willing to be inoculated will receive in total two doses of China's domestic inactivated vaccine.

Those who have joined Anhui's social medical insurance program may receive the vaccine free of charge, while those who have not should currently pay a charge of 100 yuan ($15.53) per dose.