Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long at the session (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long urged localities nationwide to increase COVID-19 vaccine coverage as soon as possible during a question-and-answer session during the 15th legislature’s second sitting in Hanoi on November 10.
At thesession, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long answered questions regardinganti-pandemic and vaccine strategies; the supply and management of medicalsupplies, COVID-19 medicines and biological products; policies for frontliners, resources for health care system at the grassroots level to improvetheir capacity, especially those in disadvantaged areas; orientations for training and special incentives for medical staff, and others.
Accordingto him, the Ministry of Health issued Decision No.4800/QD-BYT that onlyrequires testing for those of high-risk groups, those from at-risk areas or areassubject to lockdown, every 7-14 days. He said the ministry does not askcitizens to take tests within 72 hours, except those wishing to travel abroador returning from pandemic-hit areas.
Hecited the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s forecast as saying that COVID-19will become similar to influenza by 2023. In the near future, the ministry willwork with WHO to gain more experience in pandemic forecasting.
As the pandemic willremain complicated between now and the year’s end, Long asked localities to payfurther attention to pandemic prevention and control, especially accelerating vaccinations. He added that the vaccine strategy has been a success in three aspects.
About vaccine purchaseand import, he said Vietnam has contracted for nearly 200 million doses, whichcould be higher in the near future and enough for fully vaccinating people agedabove 12. For booster shots, a plan will be devised later this year.
Illustrative image (Photo; VNA)
Vietnam has so far givenover 90 million shots, he said, adding that the ministry directed localities tospeed up vaccinations, including first and second shots.
On vaccine efficiency,he affirmed that vaccines have proved safe and effective in reducing seriouscases, with efficiency up to 93-96 percent.
Regarding questions about when Vietnam will approve and put into use domesticvaccines, he said two units are in the third stage of clinical trials. Theministry will reduce administrative procedures to facilitate the approval process./.
