Shanghai started vaccinating residents aged between 6 and 11 against COVID-19 on Saturday.

The relevant questions and answers are summarized as follows.

Q1: Why should children take COVID-19 vaccines?

A1: COVID-19 vaccination can not only reduce the risk of disease, severe cases and death, but also lift the immune level of the population and prevent COVID-19 from spreading.

It is worth mentioning that younger children are less self-conscious than adults about wearing masks and washing hands, including in school. Once there is a new case, transmission may be faster and stronger.

Q2：Which kinds of vaccines are available for children in Shanghai?

A2：There are three kinds of inactivated vaccines available for children. They are developed by Beijing Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Sinovac Biotech Ltd., and Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd.

Q3: Who is advised not to take the vaccine?

A3: 1. People who are allergic to any vaccine substances or substances used in the production of the vaccines, or who are allergic to similar vaccines.

2. People who have shown serious allergic reactions to vaccines in the past, such as acute allergies, expiratory dyspnea and angioneurotic edema.

3. People who have epilepsy or other nervous-system diseases, such as transverse myelitis, Guillain-Barre syndrome and demyelinating diseases.

4. People with fevers, acute diseases, serious chronic diseases, and those who are in the acute stage of a chronic disease.

Q4: What matters need attention for children before and after vaccination?

A4: People who need to be accompanied by parents or guardians also need to bring along their ID cards or hukoubu (book of registered permanent residency). Do not have an empty stomach and wear masks & loose-fitting clothing on the day of vaccination.

They will undergo a 30-minute medical observation immediately after receiving the vaccine. Keep the injection point dry on the day of vaccination and maintain personal hygiene.

Q5：Are the COVID-19 vaccines given to children the same as the vaccines given to adults?

A5: The COVID-19 vaccines for this age of group are exactly the same as that for adults in terms of dosage, composition and immunization procedures.