HOHHOT — Roughly 500,000 people in key groups are receiving Chinese-developed COVID-19 vaccines in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, the regional health commission said on Jan 4.

No serious side effects have been reported thus far since the inoculations began in the region on Dec 22, 2020, according to the commission.

The key groups mainly comprise people working in industries with relatively high risks of infection, including those whose work relates to imported cold-chain products, customs entry and quarantine points, and medical disease control, as well as those who plan to work or study in medium or high-risk countries or regions.

Inner Mongolia plans to complete the inoculation of the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccines to all those in key groups by Jan 5, and the second doses by Feb 5.

Local resident Huhbat was given his first vaccine dose on Jan 4 in the Darhan Muminggan Joint Banner, which borders Mongolia.

"My colleagues and friends who were vaccinated did not feel much. Some experienced slight swelling or pain that soon disappeared," he said.

In Hohhot, the regional capital, a total of 47 inoculation points have been designated.

"We administer more than 1,200 doses daily," said Li Guimei, director of the No 2 Hospital of Hohhot.