Covid vaccine shots will be free in China, where more than nine million doses have been given to date, health officials in Beijing have said.

“Ordinary people will not need to spend a penny,” Zheng Zhongwei, a National Health Commission official, said at a news conference.

The announcement cleared up confusion from a news conference nine days ago at which Zheng said it would be affordable, and a more senior official, Vice Minister Zeng Yixin, jumped in to say it would be free.

According to AP, the costs will be covered by a national medical insurance fund and government funds. About 7.4 million shots have been given since a drive began Dec 15 to inoculate medical and transport workers and other key groups ahead of Lunar New Year, a major holiday in mid-February.