In Jinjiang，foreigners receive vaccination smoothly

To further improve the efficiency of epidemic prevention and control, Jinjiang kicked off citywide vaccinations for all foreigners. Foreign residents in the city aged 18 or older can apply for a vaccine with a valid identity document if they desire.

As of June 24th, about 70 foreigners from the United States, the Netherlands, Brazil, South Korea, Malaysia, and the Philippines had received vaccina⁃ tions in Jinjiang

Yaul Ken Mun from Malaysia： I find faith in China’s vaccines

Yaul Ken Mun from Malaysia, the current Exec⁃ utive Sous Chef of Marco Polo Hotel in Jinjiang, was the first foreigner in the city to complete all vaccinations. After being informed by the human re⁃ sources department of the company that people work⁃ ing in catering, a key group for preventing the spread of the coronavirus, needed to be vaccinated first, he enrolled and received the first dose without hesitation, and completed his second dose on May 3rd as scheduled.

"I have faith in China’s vaccines and didn’t have any adverse reaction after vaccinations. As the 18th ISF Gymnasiade (School Summer Games) will be held soon in Jinjiang, people working in the ho⁃ tel industry will have more contact with foreign guests. After vaccination, therefore, we will be more relieved and be able to provide the best service for our guests," said Yaul.

Caspar Schutte from the Netherlands: it felt very good

"It feels very good!" Caspar Schutte from the Netherlands said happily after being vaccinated against the COVID-19 in Jinjiang.

Schutte and his colleague Megan Johnson from the United States visited Jinjiang Municipal Hospi⁃ tal, a designated hospital for vaccination, early in the morning on June 17th, and received their sec⁃ ond dose of the vaccine with the help of an inter⁃ preter.

They completed their first dose in Xiamen, Fuji⁃ an, in late May, as arranged by their employer, a foreign company in Jinjiang. "I didn’t have any ad⁃ verse reaction after the first dose either," Schutte re⁃ called.

In June, Jinjiang kicked off citywide vaccina⁃ tions for all foreigners in the city. Knowing that they don’t have to travel to get vaccines, they decid⁃ ed to receive the second dose in Jinjiang. "The whole process was very smooth and the medics were kind," said Johnson, who also said that she felt saf⁃ er while traveling after being inoculated.

Foreigners from Brazil: it’s perfect!

On June 17th, two foreigners from Brazil received the COVID-19 vaccine at Jinjiang Municipal Hospital.

"How does it feel?" The nurse asked as she injected.

"I feel no pain." It’s finished before they knew it.

One of them told the reporter that they have been in China for two years and that the vaccination was arranged with the help of their colleagues. "Nothing’s different. Per⁃ fect!" they said.

Marianne Shenry from the Philippines: I feel much relieved after the vaccination

"How is it going? Does it hurt?" asked Marianne Shenry’s husband. "No, It doesn’t. But the doctor asked me to drink more water and not to bathe within these two days," Marianne replied. After being vaccinated at Jinjiang Municipal Hospital on the morn⁃ ing of June 23rd, she contacted her husband in the Philippines im⁃ mediately and told him that everything had gone well.

Her husband is from Shishi, Fujian. They got married in the Philippines in 2011, and have 3 children now. Two years after marriage, she brought their children back to Fujian so that they could receive traditional Chinese education, while her husband stayed in the Philippines doing business. Only every one or two years does she go back to her home⁃ town for a short visit.

Accompanied by her relatives, Marianne visited Jinjiang Munici⁃ pal Hospital to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

"I feel much relieved after vaccination,"said Marianne happily. She has four or five Filipino friends here in Jinjiang who have also married the local people. She’d like to share this good news with them and tell them to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Piero from Italy: Bravo, China’s vaccines!

"The whole process was convenient and efficient. Everything’s excellent," said Piero from Italy, giving a thumbs up after receiving his first dose of the COVID- 19 vaccine at Jinjiang Municipal Hospital, on June 21st.

When asked why he chose Jinjiang for vaccination, Piero said, "For me, living in China is no different from that in Italy. I have great confidence in China’s vaccine technology," adding that many foreigners tend to believe that vaccination is "risky", but what he saw in China was completely a rosy picture—everyone getting vaccinated in an or⁃ derly manner. "China has done a very good job in preventing and controlling the pandem⁃ ic. This is unrivaled to the rest of the world," he said.

Helen, a Ukrainian who’s also vaccinat⁃ ed at the site, said she felt very good after receiving the vaccine. "It’s over in less than five seconds and it doesn’t hurt at all,"she said.

To express her feelings towards vaccina⁃ tion, Helen also wrote in Russian, "I hope this pandemic end soon, so I will do my part. I have been vaccinated against the COV⁃ ID- 19 (in Jinjiang). And I believe if every⁃ one works together, we are sure to defeat the coronavirus."

Notice on COVID19 Vaccination for Foreign Nationals in Jinjiang

Jinjiang starts COVID- 19 vaccination for foreign nationals from now on. Foreign nationals in Jinjiang within the age group (18 and above) are eligible for COVID- 19 vaccines manufac⁃ tured by China (already launched in the mar⁃ ket), on an informed and voluntary basis with the risks undertaken by themselves.

China’s domestic inactivated SARS- CoV- 2 vaccines will be used in Jinjiang, and two dos⁃ es are required.

Appointments for vaccination can be made as followed: Foreign nationals working or study⁃ ing in Jinjiang and others can make appoint⁃ ments with Jinjiang Municipal Hospital (The des⁃ ignated vaccination site in Jinjiang) through the Official Account "jiankangjinjiang" in WeChat. The enquiry hotline is 0595-82662235 or 0595- 85812320.

COVID- 19 vaccination is free for foreign nationals covered by social medical insurance of Fujian Province. Those not covered are sup⁃ posed to pay for the vaccination. Please contact the designated vaccination site for the charges.

Either a foreign permanent resident ID card or a valid passport with valid residence per⁃ mit shall be presented at the vaccination site. Before the vaccination, you should sign docu⁃ ments including the Informed Consent and the Disclaimer of Liabilities. Proper health protocols need to be followed, and health conditions need to be honestly revealed to the on-site health pro⁃ fessionals to determine each individual’s fitness for vaccination. After vaccination, please stay in the site for 30- minute observation and make sure no adverse reactions occur before leaving. Pay close attention to personal health status with⁃ in 14 days of vaccination and seek medical ad⁃ vice promptly in case of any adverse response.

Vaccination can reduce infection risks to some extent. However, no vaccine is 100% effec⁃ tive. It is important to practice good hygiene, in⁃ cluding wearing masks, washing hands frequent⁃ ly, and keeping social distance. Nucleic acid test should be taken as required if necessary.

　 策划：秦 娴   

　　执行：李玲玲 刘紫萱   

　　翻译：张 蕾 黄荣足 刘晓瑜

　　黄雅君