Da Nang People's Committee Vice Chairman Ngo Thi Kim Yen has urged local residents who haven't yet received their COVID-19 booster vaccine to roll up their sleeves as the city has yet to meet its vaccination target.

During her meeting with members of the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control late Thursday, Mrs Yen highlighted the need for better coordination between health agency and authorities at local level to encourage local residents to come forward for their third jabs as soon as they are eligible to get the best possible protection against coronavirus.

Vice Chairman Ngo Thi Kim Yen chaired Thursday’s meeting the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

Vice Chairwoman Yen pointed out that Da Nang’s noticeable drop in new COVID-19 cases in recent days may signal that the city’s dramatic omicron-driven surge has passed its peak.

She praised the health agency and authorities at local level for their great efforts in effectively managing COVID-19 patients at home and providing effective treatment for hospitalised patients.

However, Mrs Yen urged the public and authorities at local level to stay vigilant against COVID-19 and continue to follow COVID-19 guidelines from the national and municipal government in order to keep them safe in the new normal as the Omicron-dominated resurgence remains complicated in the country and in the world. The World Health Organization has warned that the new omicron variant is spreading at an unprecedented rate across the world.

Therefore, Mrs Yen called for an acceleration of the booster vaccination program to give local residents the best protection against the new omicron variant.

According to the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, a total of 2,609,500 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been till date administered in Da Nang, among them are 983,608 first doses, 969,881 second shots and 656,011 third jabs. Da Nang on Thursday reported 678 new COVID-19 cases, including 593 community-acquired infections as disease activity continues to significantly decline.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG – Translating by H.L