Shenzhen starts administering COVID-19 vaccines to foreigners as well as Hong Kong and Macao residents living in Guangdong Province from today on a voluntary basis, the Shenzhen Municipal Health Commission announced yesterday evening.

American Paul Dotta is the first foreigner to receive COVID-19 vaccine inoculation at the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital this morning. Photos by Sun Yuchen

Foreign citizens who are covered by the provincial medical insurance program can receive COVID-19 vaccines free of charge in the city, enjoying the same policy as the insured Chinese people do. Those not covered will be charged 100 yuan (US$15.28) per dose.

Foreigners who are aged 18 to 59, and some aged 60 and above who are in good health condition and need to be vaccinated for special reasons can get vaccinated.

Those of an eligible age can make a reservation for vaccinations via the WeChat miniprogram “粤健通”, and need to present their permanent residence ID card or passport and a valid permit of stay or residence, as well as medical insurance proof (if they have) at the designated vaccination sites.

For Hong Kong and Macao residents living in Guangdong, the COVID-19 vaccines are also available to those who fall within the same range of ages as specified for foreigners.

Those who are ready to take the vaccines should also make an appointment on the WeChat miniprogram “粤健通” in advance.

Expats can make appointments for the COVID-19 vaccines on the WeChat miniprogram "粤健通."

People with Chinese nationality from Hong Kong and Macao should present either their mainland residence permits issued by public security authorities or proof of enrollment in mainland medical insurance programs to get vaccinated for free.

Teachers and students from Hong Kong and Macao working or studying in Guangdong can also be inoculated free of charge through vaccinations organized by their schools.

A man from Hong Kong receives COVID-19 vaccine inoculation.

Those who fail to meet the requirements for free vaccinations shall get vaccinated at their own expense and be charged 100 yuan per dose.

Eligible vaccine recipients from Hong Kong and Macao will enjoy the same supporting policies as their mainland counterparts in Shenzhen.

The vaccines provided for foreigners as well as Hong Kong and Macao residents are domestically developed inactivated COVID-19 vaccines, and two doses will be administered to each recipient.

The seven designated COVID-19 vaccination sites for foreigners, Hong Kong and Macao residents in Shenzhen include the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Luohu People's Hospital, Shenzhen Shekou People's Hospital, Shenzhen Bao'an People's Hospital (Jian'an Division), Longgang District Central Hospital of Shenzhen, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (Shenzhen), and Shenzhen Samii Medical Center.