Young Chinese people getting vaccinated to achieve herd immunity a contribution to family and country: Zhang Wenhong
Global Times
1615379329000

Doctor Zhang Wenhong dismisses concern that recovered COVID-19 patients who test positive again might transmit the infection to others, at a press conference held in Shanghai on Saturday Photo: Yang Hui/GT

Zhang Wenhong, China's leading infectious disease expert and head of the Shanghai COVID-19 medical team, on Wednesday called on young Chinese people to get vaccinated for COVID-19 to reach herd immunity for the coronavirus.

Zhang said in an interview during the two sessions that the world is expected to reopen sometime at the end of this year or early next year and Chinese people should grasp the window of opportunity to completely get vaccinated to deal with the imported risks.

"Young people should get vaccinated as early as possible; it is a contribution to their families and the country," he said, adding that over time there would be a queue for vaccination.

Zhang predicted that it would still be very difficult to "take off the mask" by the end of this year.

"Only when China has completed its nationwide vaccination campaign and the international epidemic is put under control can we take off our masks. We may see this trend next year," Zhang said.