Foreigners Can Now Get COVID Boosters in Beijing, This Mini-Program Can Help

This past month, COVID-19 booster shots were announced for Beijing. Foreigners are now eligible as well, and you can register for one via a simple to use WeChat mini-program.

Called 声智健康 Shengzhi Jiankang, its easy to setup and use, and it can help you on your way to getting your third jab in no time.

After you’ve found the mini-program on WeChat, registration is easy and comes in both English and Chinese. Click "the make an appointment" button (疫苗预约记录 in Chinese) and you'll be asked to input your full name, ID info (use your passport) and phone number.

Once you’ve registered, you’ll be able to make an appointment. However, this is where things can get tricky.

When you search in English, you’ll be pointed to one location doling out boosters – Datun Hospital. And yet, when you search in Chinese (if you do this you’ll need to re-register) there will be more options on the list based on the city location you choose.

It should be noted that we called seven places that are listed, and a few said they currently don’t offer boosters for foreigners, but one said they did, and said it enthusiastically.

Another thing worth noting: Make sure you know which vaccine you got for the first two jabs (this information is readily available in your Health Kit), as all locations we called are currently only providing boosters for individuals who got either the Sinopharm or SinoVac vaccines.

Some of the individuals we spoke to who had registered with the program said they’d either gotten a third jab or had been turned away by the listed locations, so it’s still hit-or-miss.

That being said, we’re hearing from other foreigners that boosters are becoming available on a wider scale. And of course, you can always contact the place you received your first two doses and check to see if they’re offering boosters.

READ: How Foreigners Can Apply For an International Vaccine Passport in Beijing

Images: The Beijingers