Vaccinations have proved to be effective in reducing death rates caused by COVID-19 among the elderly, so China will ramp up its vaccination efforts among the vulnerable group, a disease prevention and control official said on Thursday.

Xia Gang, an official with the National Administration of Disease Prevention and Control, said at a news conference that according to studies, the risk of people over age of 65, 75 and 85 developing severe or critical illnesses after being infected is five, seven and nine times higher, respectively, than among people who are relatively younger. In addition, the risk of them dying is 90, 220 and 570 times higher, Xia said.

With one vaccine dose, the risk of people over 80 dying after contracting the virus declines from 14.7 percent to 7.16 percent. After receiving three doses, the risk falls to 1.5 percent, he said.

Xia added that unvaccinated seniors usually have concerns about adverse reactions to vaccinations or falsely believe that they are at low risk of contracting the virus by staying at home. Those with disabilities may have also found it inconvenient to get the shots.

As a result, more efforts will be made to inform the elderly about the necessity and benefits of vaccinations. Meanwhile, special vaccination channels at inoculation centers will be set up for seniors, and more temporary, mobile vaccination sites will be established, he said.