Vietnam on October 31 reported 5,519 new infections of COVID-19, including 15 imported ones, according to the Ministry of Health.

With 98.5 percent of people aged 18 and over having been vaccinated and 75 percent of adults fully vaccinated, many people mistakenly believe that HCM City has reached herd immunity.

After nearly three months of social distancing, the conditions to loosen anti-pandemic measures to some extent are being discussed so that localities, businesses and people can feel more comfortable.

A number of domestic businesses have announced their plans to purchase COVID-19 vaccines for use among their employees and family members following the arrival of the first batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The disruption of pre-scheduled vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic is an emerging problem and needs to be addressed, experts said at a seminar held in HCM City on Wednesday.

Vaccinations must take place safely and effectively, particularly in remote disadvantaged areas where vaccination coverage remained modest, Deputy Health Minister Do Xuan Tuyen said yesterday.

The regulation that requires parents in Hanoi to provide documentation stating their children’s vaccination records for preschool entry from 2019-20 school year have caused a commotion.