HCM City (VNA) - The Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Health has orderedhealthcare facilities that offer vaccination services to set up plans to returnto normal with strict implementation of infection prevention measures amid theCOVID-19 pandemic.

The department last week told district-level medical centres, public andprivate hospitals, and vaccination centres to reschedule time frames forimmunisation services to avoid crowds and inform those who need immunisations.

Healthcare facilities are required to ensure that fewer than 20 people arewaiting for vaccines at the same time.

Rooms for physical examination, screenings, and vaccine administration andfollow-up must be cleaned and disinfected.

Areas for handwashing with soap and water as well as alcohol-based handsanitizers must be set up for easy use.

Health workers and people seeking vaccination must wear face masks and washhands or use hand sanitizers regularly.

The department assigned the city’s Centre for Disease Control to set up a planto ensure that children who missed essential vaccines are vaccinated accordingto their immunisation schedules, and to strictly follow infection preventionand safe immunisation rules.

The aim is to ensure the continuation of the expanded national vaccinationprogramme in the city and to protect children against a wide range of dangerousdiseases.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children Fund(UNICEF) in Vietnam released a joint statement on ensuring that children arevaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The joint statement was issued on the occasion of the World Immunisation Weekfrom April 24-30./.