Jinan, the capital of East China's Shandong province, is gradually expanding vaccinations for key groups as the city is facing a more severe epidemic prevention and control situation, local authorities said.

According to the Jinan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, vaccinations will be offered to people from 18 to 59 years of age.

Groups with a high potential risk of infection will be given priority for the vaccines, per China's epidemic prevention and control requirements.

People who work with imported cold-chain items started to get vaccinated on Dec 17, 2020. On Dec 26, 2020, people who will travel abroad for work or personal reasons were also included in the immunization campaign.

Since Jan 1, 2021, the vaccination can be given to medical workers in fever clinics, emergency departments, ICU departments and the department for infectious diseases. Inoculations are also available for sampling and testing personnel, staff in disease control institutions, people responsible for administering COVID-19 vaccinations and people who work in the transportation industry.