In order to implement the “dual targets” of preventing the pandemic and boosting socio-economic development at the same time, the capital city has defined the 5K message and vaccination as well as technology application as the key solutions.

So far, the city has made necessary preparations to ensure that the campaign will take place in a successful and safe manner.

According to the municipal Department of Health, Hanoi has about 5.1 million people aged from 18 to 65 who are subjected to vaccination. After reviewing necessary equipment for vaccine storage, the city said that it has a capacity of receiving 1.3 million doses of vaccines at the same time. If the supply sources are stable, the city will strive to deliver 200,000 vaccine shots per day.

Director of the Department Tran Thi Nhi Ha said that the city will set up 1,200 vaccination facilities across the city, while mobilising 100 emergency teams to stand ready for post-vaccination emergency aid.

People in the targeted groups can register for COVID-19 vaccination in their commune, ward and township or through the COVID-19 vaccination portal and “So suc khoe dien tu” app on their smart phones which is available on both Android and iOS. After receiving the registration, medical staff will make screening and classify groups for vaccination.

Along with preparing for the campaign, the city has actively mobilised support from organisations and individuals for the fund for COVID-19 prevention and control, thus increasing financial resources for vaccine purchase.

Through the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) system from the central to local levels, the fund raising activities have been implemented effectively. So far, the VFF Committee of Hanoi has received over 1.75 trillion VND (76.15 million USD) in cash and more than 2.6 doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

According to President of the municipal VFF Committee Nguyen Lan Huong, agencies, organisations, enterprises and individuals in the city have actively engaged in contributing to the fund for COVID-19 prevention and control.

In order to reach herd immunity, Hanoi needs more than 2 trillion VND for buying vaccines, she said, adding that the committee hopes to receive more support from the community to the fund, thus stamping out the pandemic soon.

So far, preparations for the vaccination have completed. However, city leaders have called for close cooperation of relevant agencies and local residents in the implementation of the campaign as well as pandemic prevention and control regulations in daily activities.

Meanwhile, on July 19, the Defence Ministry’s Military Medical University announced that more than 1,000 volunteers received their second shots of homegrown Nano Covax vaccine in its third phase of human trials.

Prof. Dr. Maj. Gen. Hoang Van Luong, Deputy Director of the university, said after being injected, the volunteers are in stable conditions. Medical workers have asked them to update information about side effects if any on the e-Diary.

Over 12,000 remaining volunteers will get their second jab from July 26.

All volunteers are expected be fully vaccinated with two shots in mid-August.

Nano Covax is developed by the Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC based on recombinant DNA/protein technology. It went through the first-phase trial from December 18, 2020 and the second phase from February 26, 2021. The third phase started on June 11, 2021.

Results from the first two trial phases showed that all volunteers developed antibodies against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

According to Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long, Vietnam is striving to complete vaccinating its citizens in late 2021 or early 2022./.

Source: VNA