Vietnam might reach the ‘finish line’ – vaccination and herd immunity – later than Europe and the US by five to six months, but it would prefer to go slowly and carefully.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged HCM City's leaders and agencies to continue the “dual goals” for the rest of the year at an online meeting yesterday. 

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health has recently issued guidelines on protocols for diagnosis and treatment of rare brain/abdomen blood clots in the setting of low levels of blood platelets occurring after COVID-19 vaccinations.

Vietnam has proposed the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) consider the issuance of regulations on prioritising COVID-19 vaccinations for sailors regardless their nationalities, thus minimising the risk of pandemic spreading among the group.

The Ministry of Health will mobilise all resources to carry out COVID-19 vaccinations to ensure absolute safety for people, Minister Nguyen Thanh Long has said.

Several provinces, enterprises and universities nationwide will provide free COVID-19 vaccinations to their residents, staff and students in order to share the financial burden for pandemic prevention and control.

Hanoi authorities plan to provide free COVID-19 vaccinations to all residents, said a senior official.