Chinas "zero-Covid" strategy seems to be strained as new cases soar significantly owing to the highly transmissible Omicron subvariant BA.2.

During this time of crisis, China has rolled out its old methods for controlling the disease, such as placing millions of people under some sort of lockdown, closing factories in the tech hub of Shenzhen, constructing makeshift hospitals, etc. However, the approach is showing signs of strain and the public is losing patience now. Though China had rolled out massive vaccination campaigns, significant gaps have been observed in the vaccination effort with the unanswered questions about the protection for the vulnerable groups. Experts are of the view that the scenario in Beijing may worsen and be similar to that of Hong Kong, due to the low vaccination rate among the elderly. China has a large percentage of the general population unexposed to the virus due to the zero-COVID policy or being vaccinated with ineffective vaccines (studies show).

According to data from Chinas National Health Commission, around 40 million Chinese over the age of 60 have not yet received a single dose of COVID vaccine. But, the country has started bridging the gaps by enlisting mobile clinics to get elderly people vaccinated and make people aware of the importance of their booster doses. It has also included Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral pill in its medicine cabinet. (CNN, March 22, 2022)