Authorities mull measures to address aging population

COVID-19 control

Those attending the Central Economic Work Conference said a key task this year will be to help older people and those with preexisting conditions stay safe and avoid critical symptoms amid the spread of COVID-19. The livelihoods of older people and other vulnerable groups must be safeguarded against outbreak-induced disruptions, they added.

Older Chinese were among the groups hit worst by Omicron-fueled outbreaks last month.

Data from the Guangdong Second Provincial Hospital in South China showed that 80 percent of the hospitalizations at its respiratory and critical care departments were people age 60 and older.

Meanwhile, the China-Japan Friendship Hospital and Chaoyang Hospital, both in Beijing, reported that the majority of their COVID hospitalizations were older people with underlying health conditions.

That's because seniors have lagged behind in getting vaccinated as a result of concerns over adverse reactions.

Official data show that about 239.4 million, or 90.6 percent, of people age 60 and older had received at least one shot by Nov 28. About 228.1 million, or 86.4 percent, had received two shots, but only 181.5 million had received a booster shot by the same date.

The numbers of those age 80 and older who had received one shot, two shots and booster shots were still lower, at 76.6 percent, 65.8 percent and 40 percent, respectively.

The shortfall prompted the NHC to accelerate vaccinations of older people in recent weeks. The commission's data show that 3.1 million doses were administered on Dec 20, with 3.6 million given the following day, up from the daily average of less than 1.5 million in the previous two weeks.