COVID-19 vaccination campaign reaching more provinces

Hanoi (VNA) - The northwestern province of Dien Bien administered the first shots of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to frontline health workers at its temporary hospital for coronavirus treatment at the medical centre of Dien Bien Phu city on March 18.

On the first day, 80 of the hospital’s 172 staff members were given injections, with every necessary measure taken to ensure absolute safety.

Dr Nguyen Duc Hanh from the hospital’s emergency department said it was an honour to be the first person to get the jab, adding that as a health worker, he knows of the benefits of vaccination and also feels assured since preparations for inoculations have been conducted professionally.

Dien Bien province has received 1,900 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the Ministry of Health in the first phase.

It plans to initially provide the vaccine to priority groups in Muong Ang district, the health checkpoint at Pha Din Pass in Tuan Giao district, Dien Bien Phu city, and the Dien Bien General Hospital. The first shots are to be administered on March 18 and 19.

Meanwhile in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap, about 900,000 people from priority groups will be vaccinated, according to the provincial People’s Committee.

Apart from the 11 priority groups selected by the Government, the local administration has requested relevant agencies review forces performing duties and residents in border areas, to include them on the priority list.

Dong Thap is scheduled to inject 350 doses allocated by the Health Ministry to staff at the Hong Ngu General Hospital, which is treating COVID-19 patients, from March 23 to 26.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Doan Tan Buu, who is also deputy head of the province’s steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control, said that apart from tightening control in border areas, Dong Thap has also supported neighbouring Cambodian provinces with medical supplies and established plans to ensure health and safety during the upcoming general elections.

The 11 priority groups in the country’s COVID-19 vaccination plan consist of healthcare workers; those who have joined the COVID-19 fight; diplomats and customs and immigration officers; military personnel; public security forces; teachers; people over 65 years of age; providers of essential goods; people with chronic diseases; those who must work or study abroad; and residents in pandemic-hit areas.

Vietnam received the first 117,600 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine on February 24 and launched the inoculation drive on March 8. Medical workers in Hanoi, HCM City, and northern Hai Duong province - the country’s largest coronavirus hotspot in the latest outbreak - were the first to be vaccinated./.