Pandemic communications campaign reaches over 60 million people

A girl is vaccinated against COVID-19. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – A nine-month communications campaign launched by Vietnam’s Health Ministry, UNICEF, and WHO about  the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control has reached more than 60 people in the country.

The ‘Safe Journeys’ launched in March 2022 aims at strengthening the awareness of the importance for all in Vietnam to comply with preventive practices, including vaccination.

Speaking at the campaign finale celebration on December 16, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong said that the Government  has mobilised resources to speed up the vaccination - a decisive measure to realise the country’s policy of “safe adaptation, flexible and effective control of the COVID-19 pandemic”.

So far, more than 265 million doses of vaccines were administered safely in Vietnam, making it one of the countries with the highest vaccination coverage in the world.

Nearly 90% of the population aged 18 and more have received the fourth dose, more than 90% of children aged from five to under 12 the first,  and nearly 70% of the children the second.

Communications work greatly contributed to the positive results of the COVID-19 vaccination roll-outs, Huong said, calling the campaign a good example.

Represenatives from ministries and agencies talk about the "Safe Journey" at the campaign finale celebration on December 16. (Photo: VNA)

During the campaign, short videos and infographics were posted on the Facebook pages of the Health Ministry, UNICEF in Vietnam, WHO in Vietnam, and those with millions of followers.

Talks on COVID-19 vaccination for children, and instructions to take care of children with the virus were broadcast on popular TV channels.

The campaign also promoted communications activities on the platform of Tik Tok and its messages were translated into languages of ethnic groups in Vietnam as well as the sign language.

UNICEF Representative in Vietnam Rana Flowers said the participation of leading experts in health, pediatrics, celebrities, and influencers in the campaign helps its message reach millions of people effectively, persuading them to get vaccinated and reinforcing the importance of following COVID-19 precautions.

Chief Representative of the WHO in Vietnam, Dr. Angela Pratt, said the campaign provides people with important and exact information about COVID-19 vaccines, making them understand the safety, the need, and the efficiency of the vaccines, especially for children./.