While some may still be considering a first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, authorities are now offering the third dose, known as the booster shot, in Beijing's vaccination centers.

Four months ahead of the Winter Olympics in February, Beijing's rollout follows that of other China's provinces that have been offering COVID-19 booster vaccines since September this year. 

People over 18 who received two shots of the COVID-19 vaccine six months ago or earlier and belong to key groups, such as high-risk personnel, including staff for the Beijing Winter Games in February, are eligible for the booster shots.

One of the booster vaccine recipients, a man surnamed Shi, told CGTN that he got the booster shot to protect himself and others as he frequently travels outside Beijing on business trips.

"Big and bustling cities like Beijing and Shanghai should encourage the booster shots," Shi said.

Many people at one of Beijing's vaccination centers said they don't have many safety concerns over the homemade booster shots based on their experience and the health authorities' accumulated data.

A housewife surnamed Bai told CGTN while waiting in line for her booster shot that getting vaccinated is a "responsibility" for her family and society. 

"Now, we have virus variants, and I believe the booster shots will better protect us," she said.

It wasn't a tough call for authorities to make, especially when the Delta variant surfaced on the Chinese mainland in summer this year. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave the green light for the booster shots by late September.

"Research results have shown that the booster shots have not had serious side effects but demonstrated a rapid increase in the average levels of neutralizing antibodies," said Wang Huaqing, chief expert of the National Immunization Program at the CDC.

Speaking at a recent press conference on China's epidemic control and prevention, Wang stressed that though these levels may decline after six months, the number of antibodies is still higher than that of any previous jabs.

That level, experts say, would be increased more than tenfold. Three vaccine manufacturers, Sinopharm, Sinovac and CanSino, will secure the supply of booster vaccines in Beijing.