Da Nang will begin vaccinating its adult population against coronavirus at 9 vaccination centres from this week at the start of the biggest immunisation programme in history, the Da Nang Department of Health has announced.

Over 92,000 eligible people in Da Nang will get first shot of Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from September 8 -11 under the city’s historic vaccine rollout.

All people who are helping the city’s fight against COVID-19 and members of steering committees of COVID-19 prevention and control at all levels will be first to receive the jab, along with staff of diplomatic agents, the foreign consulates, international organizations in Da Nang, and customs staff.

Employees in companies located outside industrial parks will be among the first to receive the life-saving jab with high priority given to people working in businesses with a large number of employees, and businesses involving communicating with customers.

In addition, the health sector will administer the COVID-19 vaccine to those working in transportation services, pharmacists working at pharmacies and drugstores, staff of banks and utility companies providing natural gas, electricity, water, sewage, and other basic necessities for both residential and commercial properties, stallholders at wet markets, transaction staff at supermarkets and large stores, owners of grocery stores, restaurant and eateries and other essential services.

The health sector is prioritising people aged from 18 -65 in the most densely populated areas in Hai Chau, Thanh Khe, Cam Le districts will all be among the first to receive the vaccines. High priority will be given to people in crowded residential settings, alleys, and green zones.

The vaccinations will be carried out in 9 vaccination centres, namely the Tien Son Sports Arena, the Cancer Hospital, the Da Nang General Hospital, the Da Nang International Exhibition Fair Centre, the Ngu Hanh Son District Sports and Culture House, the Son Tra District Sports and Culture House, the Thanh Khe District Sports and Culture House, Lien Chieu District Industrial Park, and the Student Hall of Residence in the west of the city. In addition, two mobile vaccination sites will be set up within the city in order to help reach people who may have had difficulty getting to vaccination sites.

A total of 66 vaccination teams have been formed and will be deployed to 9 vaccination centres across Da Nang.

Reporting by LE HUNG – translating by H.L