Vaccination remains decisive weapon in pandemic containment efforts: PM
VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that vaccines continue to be a decisive weapon in the country’s ongoing pandemic containment efforts while chairing the 15th meeting of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control held on July 7 in Hanoi.
New strains have appeared in many countries worldwide and in the region, with some nations reporting hundreds of thousands of fresh infections each day. Experience indicates that developed countries often have outbreaks several months ahead of Vietnam, the Government chief said.
As part of his address at the event PM Chinh stressed that the major focus of the meeting should be on discussing and assessing the global pandemic situation, as well as that of the wider region, fresh developments, achieved results, unsatisfactory aspects, and analysing causes of outbreaks. This should be done in order to set out goals and devise proper solutions to combat COVID-19 moving forward.
Apart from consolidating and striving to improve the capacity of preventive medicine and grassroots health care, vaccination remains the right, responsibility, and obligation of each person to protect themselves, their families and the wider community, PM Chinh went on to state.
During the course of the meeting, the Ministry of Health noted that the domestic pandemic situation has basically brought under control, with the number of new cases and deaths recording a sharp fall. Indeed, the past 30 days has seen the mortality and infection rate stand at 0.02%, of which the number of infections dropped by 4.5 times to reach roughly 600 cases per day, while the number of deaths decreased 10 times compared to the previous month.
Despite these positive developments, the pandemic remains both complicated and unpredictable globally, particularly as some countries have reported the appearance of a new variant of the Omicron (strain BA.5), with many cases being recorded in Europe.
Regarding vaccination, the Ministry of Health said that the nation has administered over 231 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, although the vaccination effort is showing signs of slowing down and is behind schedule.
The Ministry of Health outlined that the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) recommend maintaining measures, such as booster vaccinations for at-risk groups.
In order to continue promoting and strengthening the capacity of COVID-19 prevention and control efforts, the Ministry of Health also proposes taking a range of specific measures for ministries, sectors, and localities while pressing ahead with sustained efforts in which to closely monitor the global pandemic situation. This is especially necessary amid the appearance of new strains of COVID-19, whilst also responding to fresh diseases as they are detected and accelerating the implementation of the programme on socio-economic recovery and development for the 2022 to 2023 period.
It is therefore essential to continue effectively carrying out policies aimed at supportting employees and employers facing difficulties, stabilise and develop the labour market, and ensuring social welfare, the Ministry said.
The Ministry also underlined the need to step up information and communication about vaccinations, benefits, and the effectiveness of vaccines against COVID-19. This should be done by disseminating knowledge and skills for people to improve their health, give warning of new strains, and guide people on how to take care of their health after COVID-19.