Fuzhou, capital of East China's Fujian province, started providing free COVID-19 vaccinations to citizens of Taiwan who are currently living in the city on April 19. [Photo by Wang Dongming/chinanews.com]

Fuzhou, capital of East China's Fujian province, started providing free COVID-19 vaccinations to citizens of Taiwan who are currently living in the city on April 19, and the first 32 Taiwan compatriots to make appointments via Tailutong have already been inoculated, according to a local news report.

Citizens of Taiwan who want to receive vaccinations can make appointments through online platforms or register for vaccinations via the mobile app Tailutong.

One Taiwan resident said he had been paying close attention to news about vaccines for people from Taiwan in Fuzhou in recent months. He immediately registered for the vaccine when he learned he could apply.

The mobile app Tailutong is a public information platform offering services to people from across the Straits by using big data and internet technology, and a total of 93 Taiwan citizens have made appointments through the app thus far. 

Taiwan citizens with residence permits or medical insurance certificates can register for vaccines at their places of residence just like mainland citizens, said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

Those without the two documents can apply with the help of Taiwan affairs authorities at the county level or above for such services, he said.

Teachers and students from Taiwan can apply to be vaccinated at their universities or schools and receive the same access as their mainland counterparts, said Ma.

The vaccination is free for mainland residents and Taiwan compatriots, Ma added.