In his Conclusion at a recent teleconference with localities on COVID-19 prevention and control, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested localities nationwide to speed up the mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the safest and fastest manner.

A student from the Viet Duc Senior High School getting her second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on December 22. (Photo: VNA)

In the Conclusion announced by the Government Office, the PM said in recent days, the number of confirmed cases and deaths with COVID-19 have been still complicated in some localities. Besides, the Delta variant has a fast spreading speed, whilst many people have ignored instructions and warnings released by the Ministry of Health and have not strictly complied with 5K recommendations, especially not wearing face masks in public.

A part of the adult population in the country has yet to receive a shot. The number of deaths is mainly among the elderly, people with underlying medical conditions, unvaccinated people, or those who have received just one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Most notably, some localities are facing severe shortages of medical workers and are relying heavily on support forces from the central government and other localities.

In face of the threat of the Omicron variant that is spreading faster than the Delta variant, PM Chinh asked ministries, agencies and localities to follow prevention and control regulations more drastically, and not to hold activities with large gatherings, especially during the New Year and traditional Tet festivals. Also, stricter penalties should be imposed for non-compliance with the city’s COVID-19 rules.

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 national government leader urged the Ministry of Health must ensure enough vaccines for the inoculation while localities nationwide must conduct vaccination as instructed by the Health Ministry.

Also, the Ministry of Health has been asked 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 Ministry of Transport, along with relevant ministries, agencies have been asked to continue with plans to reopen international flights as directed by permanent Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh. Meanwhile, localities continued to collect more public feedback on effective prevention and control measures, with a focus on 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.

Reporting by TTXVN - Translating by M.DUNG