PM: vaccination campaign needs to speed up

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested making quicker progress in vaccinations in his Conclusion at a recent teleconference with localities on COVID-19 prevention and control.

In the Conclusion announced by the Government Office, the PM said in face of the threat of the Omicron variant that is spreading faster than the Delta variant, he asked ministries, agencies and localities to follow prevention and control regulations more drastically, not hold activities with large gatherings, especially during the New Year and traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) festivals, and seriously punish violators.

He demanded that the injection of second shots to those aged above 18 must be finished no later than December 31, 2021, while that for those aged 12-18 must be done in January 2022, and the third shots for those aged above 18 in the first quarter next year.

Vaccination plan for children aged 5-11 must be outlined after collecting feedback from competent authorities and recommendations from the World Health Organisation.

The Health Ministry must ensure enough vaccines for the inoculation while localities must conduct vaccination as instructed by the Health Ministry.

It was also allowed to create favourable conditions for firms to import COVID-19 medicines and step up the trial and transfer of technology to produce vaccines and medicines at home.

The PM asked the Health Ministry to enhance training for early discovery and treatment of patients at medical stations at the grassroots level, establish mobile medical stations and pool the involvement of private medical system in caring and treating patients.

The Transport Ministry and ministries, agencies concerned must continue with plans to reopen international flights as directed by permanent Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh, ensuring safety and practices of countries.

Localities were assigned to collect more public feedback on effective prevention and control measures, pay more attention to social welfare.

The ministries of finance and health must promptly respond to provinces’ suggestions regarding finance, vaccines and medical supplies. Cases beyond their authority must be reported to the PM for consideration./.