China's capital, Beijing, started vaccination of key groups of individuals on Friday for COVID-19 epidemic control and prevention.

According to the authority, there are nine key groups, including inspection workers at customs dealing with imported cold-chain products, porters at entry ports and those who work in the international and domestic transportation industries.

People who will travel abroad for work or personal reasons, medical workers and government department workers also are included.

People who get vaccinated should be aged from 18 to 59.

The municipal authority plans to complete this phase of vaccination work before Chinese Lunar New Year, which will fall on Feb 12.

At present, the medical centers do not accept individual reservations for vaccination. The city will organize vaccinations for the rest of population after Chinese Lunar New Year.

The vaccines are provided for free.