Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - With over 90 percent of the adult population havingreceived two doses of COVID-19 vaccines and the ongoing campaign forchildren aged 12-17 years, the Ministry of Health is planning to buy shots forchildren aged 5-11.

DeputyMinister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen said the ministry has developed a plan toinoculate young children in this age group and has submitted the plan to theGovernment.

Oncethe Government gives the nod, it would immediately work with suppliers tosecure a sufficient amount at the earliest time to get the vaccination processstarted, Tuyen said during a recent discussion hosted by the Vietnam GovernmentPortal, without elaborating further about the types of vaccines to be usedor the logistics involved.

Vietnam,with a population of about 100 million people, as of January 2 hasreceived 195 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, including 68 million as aid,out of the committed 227 million doses. Over 155 million doses have beenadministered so far.

Seventy-four percentof the population has received at least one dose of vaccine (99 percent ofadults have had at least one dose), and 70 percent have been fully vaccinated,basically meeting the WHO's recommendations six months ahead of schedule.

In2022, Tuyen said the health ministry will focus on offering third shots forhigh-risk groups like patients with HIV, kidney failure, hepatitis B,cirrhosis, etc. in addition to pushing coverage of vaccines for children,now that the country has enough doses needed for the adult population.

Theofficial noted that in the inoculation efforts for children, the role ofparents is important in bringing their children to get the shots in line withthe health ministry's guidelines.

Tuyensaid the current vaccination progress along with plans for additional/boostershots will help to ensure the success of the Government's safe, flexibleadaptation to and effective control of the COVID-19 pandemic – meant to be amindset shift from the previous so-called Zero COVID strategy – toachieve both pandemic prevention and control and socio-economic development.

Ina COVID-19 report which the Government submitted to the National Assemblyduring the ongoing extraordinary session, it says efforts are being made toensure no people above 50 years or people with underlying health issues remainunvaccinated, complete the administration of second doses for children aged12-17 in January 2022, and third doses for adults within the first quarter ofthe year.

DeputyMinister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu said vaccine diplomacy was a highlight,given that the vaccine shortage has still been an issue, especially during thetimes of outbreaks, contributing to Vietnam’s high vaccination rate./.