Laos hopes to vaccinate 70 percent of adult population by year-end: PM

Illustrative image. (Photo: Laotiantimes.com)

Vientiane (VNA) - In order to quickly reopen the country, recover the economy and adapt to the pandemic, after completing the goal of immunising 50 percent of the adult population, the Government of Laos is working to raise this rate to at least 70 percent by the end of this year, Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavan has said.

Addressing the Lao National Assembly’s second session, he said that the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be eradicated shortly, so people need to adapt to the new normal – living safely with COVID-19.

The Lao Prime Minister also advised people to quit the habit of mass gathering, especially the organisation of festivals, saying such events should be scaled down to a limited number of participants.

In a related news, the Lao Ministry of Health said that it is surveying and consulting the World Health Organisation (WHO) on expanding vaccination coverage, especially for children.

The country recorded 786 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, down 290 cases compared to the previous day's figure, with the capital Vientiane continuing to take the lead with 314 community cases, the ministry said on November 8.

Up to now, the total number of COVID-19 infections in Laos has reached 47,842 cases, including 86 deaths./.

VNA