China's Ministry of Education (MOE) has urged local authorities across the country to promote student vaccination amid the recent domestic COVID-19 outbreaks that have spread to at least 18 provinces and cities in China.
Tianjin Municipality is among the first places administering vaccines to students. It started vaccination for those between 15 and 17 on July 24, with those aged 12 to 14 following on Sunday.
The MOE issued the notice on Tuesday for the epidemic prevention and control work in the education system during the summer holiday. The rules require education departments around the country to immediately activate the emergency response mechanism to COVID-19.
Vaccination should be promoted to all eligible students below the age of 18, the notice said.
The inoculation must be conducted with the consent of the students or their guardian, it added.
