The Da Nang Department of Information and Communications has affirmed that the Da Nang government currently does not apply COVID-19 mandatory vaccination policy to school pupils requiring that they get a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of being admitted to local schools or attending day-boarding services at local schools.

A healthcare professional giving a COVID-19 vaccince to a school pupil at a vaccination site at the Huynh Thuc Khang Junior High School, Thanh Khe District. Photo: LE PHAM MY

According to the Ministry of Health, the COVID-19 situation in Viet Nam has recently become complicated as the fast-spreading Omicron sub-variants like BA.4, BA.5, BA.2.75, BA.2.12.1 has driven coronavirus infections across the country.

Vaccination is the most effective way to protect against severe illness or death from COVID-19 and is powerful tool to control the pandemic, thereby helping children ensure their health and safety while attending school as well as ensuring a safe environment for day-boarding schools.

Vaccination for children against COVID-19 aims to increase immunization coverage in the city, and prevent the spread of the virus, as well as protect themselves, their families, and their communities, contributing positively to the city's plan of ‘Safe adaptation, flexible and effective control of the pandemic”.

Hence, the Da Nang government is determined, persistent, and steadfast in taking effective COVID-19 control measures in order to promote the city’s rapid recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, and ensure its sustainable socio-economic development. High priority is given to putting people's health, care and wellbeing first. The importance is attached to going door-to-door to encourage residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The heed is paid to improving public acceptance and decrease vaccine hesitancy in confronting the disease in an attempt to encourage local residents to show their willingness to get their shots.

Reporting by THU HA – translating by H.L