Currently, the rate of COVID-19 infections in some countries is increasing again. COVID-19 vaccination in our country continues to be recommended to implement the 4th dose for high-risk groups. According to Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Thi Hong, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, the Expanded Immunization Program is currently preserving more than 432,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer) with an expiry date until the end of September 2024. [caption id="attachment_605118" align="alignnone" width="768"]
Our country has administered more than 266.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine and is one of the countries with the highest COVID-19 vaccine coverage rate in the world.[/caption] This COVID-19 vaccine is reserved for areas with outbreaks and high-risk groups. According to
the Ministry of Health 's instructions, people in high-risk groups such as people with underlying diseases, people with chronic diseases, etc. should still receive the fourth dose. Currently, the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination in our country is being integrated into the Expanded Immunization Program. The number of registered vaccinations is about 50,000 people. Also according to Associate Professor Duong Thi Hong, in Southeast Asia, the rate of COVID-19 infection in some countries is increasing again such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and some countries have even recorded a 50-100% increase in the number of COVID-19 cases per week. However, there have been no reports of patients requiring hospitalization or serious illness. Health authorities in these countries believe that the reason for the resurgence in COVID-19 cases is due to the reduced immunity of the population and increased trade during the year-end tourist and festival season. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is currently no recommendation for annual COVID-19 vaccination, however, based on practical factors such as new strains of COVID-19, there may be new recommendations. In the country, the Ministry of Health has a plan to use the COVID-19 vaccine in 2023 and COVID-19 vaccination is still being implemented free of charge. Up to now, our country has vaccinated more than 266.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine and is one of the countries with the highest COVID-19 vaccination coverage rate in the world. According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, the COVID-19 epidemic situation in our country is still under control; the number of recorded cases is low, scattered in some localities and most have mild symptoms or no symptoms; The number of hospitalizations and the number of severe patients in treatment facilities is low. The results of monitoring the pathogen have not recorded any new or unusual variants. "According to recommendations, people in high-risk groups such as medical staff, people with underlying diseases, and people with chronic diseases should receive the fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The expanded immunization program is strictly preserving and following the procedures for the above COVID-19 vaccines," Ms. Duong Thi Hong stated. At the same time, she said that in the plan to control and sustainably manage the Covid-19 epidemic, the period 2023-2025 of the Ministry of Health, the development and implementation of a plan to use COVID-19 vaccines is carried out in accordance with the subjects and vaccination schedule, in which priority is given to vaccinating high-risk groups. [caption id="attachment_605126" align="alignnone" width="768"]
The Ministry
of Health recommends that people with high-risk factors for COVID-19 infection should get a booster vaccine after 6-12 months, completely free of charge.[/caption] The latest statistics from the Ministry of Health show that so far, the whole country has vaccinated more than 266.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine and Vietnam is one of the countries with the highest COVID-19 vaccine coverage rate in the world. Of which, the rate of basic vaccination for people aged 12 and over is approximately 100%; the rate of vaccination for children aged 12 to under 18 is 69.4%; the rate of vaccination for people aged 18 and over is 82.1%; the rate of vaccination for people aged 18 and over at high risk is 89.6%; the rate of vaccination for children aged 5 to under 12 is 92.5% and 76.7%. Mr. Phan Trong Lan, Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health also said that group A infectious diseases are particularly dangerous diseases that spread rapidly, have a high mortality rate or have unknown pathogens. As for COVID-19, in 2023, the number of cases decreased 82 times compared to 2022, the death rate/case was 0.022, a decrease of 100 times compared to 2021. The causative agent is the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has been identified. Based on these factors, COVID-19 is suitable to move from group A to group B. However, to prevent the disease, people still need to continue to maintain 2K (masks and disinfection), especially encouraging wearing masks in public places. People with the disease must wear masks for 10 days from the time of symptoms or positive test results, and people caring for Covid-19 patients also need to wear masks. Regarding COVID-19 vaccination, Mr. Lan said that the Ministry of Health has issued a vaccine plan for 2023, in which it recommends that people who have not received enough doses, especially those with underlying diseases, should be given priority for vaccination. Currently, according to WHO, after receiving the doses, people with high-risk factors will receive a booster shot after 6-12 months, and there is no recommendation for universal vaccination every year. In the coming time, the Ministry of Health will continue to conduct research based on scientific evidence to have appropriate vaccination recommendations.
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