Effective ways to expand COVID-19 vaccination coverage
(VOVWORLD) - Though Vietnam began COVID-19 vaccination later than many countries, its vaccination coverage is now one of the highest in the world. The result is attributed to Vietnam’s strategy of promoting vaccine diplomacy, setting up a vaccine fund, and accelerating vaccination.
Vietnam has so far received nearly 200 million doses of vaccines including 68 million doses donated by other countries thanks to diplomatic activities through direct and indirect dialogues.
At a conference on government tasks for 2022, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said Vietnam is one of six countries with the highest vaccination coverage in the world.
"We have successfully implemented the vaccine strategy with our largest ever vaccination campaign. In May 2021, Vietnam had only a few hundred thousand doses, but now we have received 200 million doses. 99.6% of people over 18 have received at least one shot, 90.9% have had two shots, and we’re now administering booster shots. 85.6% of children between 12 and 17 have had at least one shot already and 57% have had two shots. We plan to vaccinate children 5 to 11 early this year.' said Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong.
Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen said Vietnam expects to use more than 220 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in total.
Tuyen said: "In 2022, we will accelerate booster shots and vaccination of children. In the first quarter of this year, Vietnam will receive additional 15 million doses from the COVAX facility which means we will have enough vaccine for booster shots for adults. We are now trying to get vaccine for children."