Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan.

Over 11 million doses of vaccine out of a total of about 18 million doses have been administered, Deputy Health Minister Tran Van Thuan said at a government press conference on August 11. However, this number is lower than the actual figure as the data is being updated, he said.

Ho Chi Minh City was allocated more than 4 million doses and nearly 3.6 million doses were used (88.2%). The city will administer the remaining doses in one or two days and will use Sinopharm vaccines, donated by a private corporation.

Hanoi has been given more than 2.9 million doses, and 1.5 million doses have been used, equivalent to more than 50%. In the coming days, Hanoi will accelerate the vaccination rate.

“We have sent an official dispatch to urge provinces and cities to urgently use vaccines, not to keep them in stock, otherwise the vaccines will be transferred to other provinces. After that the vaccination rate is faster,” said Thuan.

"When more vaccines are available, we will coordinate with defense and police agencies to further accelerate vaccination, with 2 million shots a day," he said.

So far, the Ministry of Health has set up 141 field hospitals and resuscitation centers in the southern provinces, including five resuscitation centers in Ho Chi Minh City. The Ministry has also sent 10,000 doses of imported special drugs to serve the treatment of Covid-19 to Ho Chi Minh City and southern provinces.

The ministry has mobilized 10,000 medical and pharmaceutical students to help southern provinces. "Many health workers have not returned home since Tet (lunar New Year). Many people who "fought" against Covid-19 at Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi) and epidemic-hit areas in Hai Duong, Nghe An and Ha Tinh are now in Dong Nai," Deputy Health Minister said.

Thu Hang - Tran Thuong

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