Prognosis
China Reopening Driven by Elderly Vaccinations, Adviser Says
- Delaying until summer would have allowed immunity to wane
- Focus now is on making sure high-risk get care, Liang says
Immunization has since climbed to 80%, offering more protection
Source: AFP/Getty Images
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China couldn’t delay its pivot from Covid Zero, avoiding the frigid winter when respiratory viruses circulate easily, because protection levels from previous vaccination would have waned, according to Beijing’s senior Covid adviser.
The best time to reopen would have been June or July 2023, since the summer is more forgiving, said Liang Wannian, an epidemiologist-turned senior official leading China’s Covid response, in an interview with state television on Monday. However, immunity generated from vaccinating the high-risk elderly would have ebbed, he said.