Localities across Vietnam are asked to vaccinate high-risk groups at home, ensuring that no one is left without being administered the Covid-19 vaccine, especially those with motor disabilities.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 26 made his statement in a notice on the management, care, and protection of people at high risk of contracting Covid-19; strengthening treatment, reducing severe cases and deaths due to coronavirus infection.

As the pandemic has developed complicatedly in some localities, with new infections on the rise and numbers of serious patients and deaths remaining high, fast inoculation is imperative, the PM said.

Specifically, all people aged 18 and older must be given the second shot by December 31 and the third dose within the first quarter of 2022, except for those with contraindications, according to the notice.

Meanwhile, the second dose vaccination for children aged 12 to 18 must be completed in January 2022.

It is important not to miss immunization for qualified people, especially those aged 50 and older or with underlying health conditions.

The Government leader told the Health Ministry and provincial-level administrations to organize as safely and fast as possible the vaccination and ensure that no eligible person is left without full inoculation, especially those in high-risk groups.

A severe Covid-19 patient is treated in Hanoi-based Duc Giang General Hospital. Photo: The Hanoi Times

In addition to accelerating Covid-19 inoculation, relevant agencies and authorities of all levels must keep a close watch on the new variant of concern Omicron that has spread from southern Africa to around 100 countries and territories, the PM said.

Though Vietnam has not seen any Omicron cases, the numbers of infections, patients in critical condition, and related deaths have still been on the rise, and the healthcare systems in some localities have become overloaded.

The Government leader also requested provinces and cities to isolate and monitor Covid-19 patients at home or a treatment facility depending on their status, disease severity, and home care conditions under the support and supervision of medical staff.

The health ministry must secure an adequate supply of vaccines, timely vaccine distribution, provision of vaccination guidance, and be in charge of the safeness and efficiency of the vaccination drive.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade needs to coordinate with the Ministry of Health and localities to implement drastic solutions and provide enough medical oxygen for hospitals and medical facilities.

As of December 27, Vietnam recorded a total of more than 1.6 million Covid-19 infections in 62 cities and provinces, with Hanoi leading the tally for the sixth consecutive day. The Health Ministry confirmed the national death toll from Covid-19 of 31,214, or 1.9% of the total infections.

The fourth wave of the pandemic since late April has left over 1.64 million Covid-19 infection cases, while more than 1.24 million have recovered.

Over 65.9 million people of Vietnam's 96 million population have been vaccinated with two doses, and more than 2.5 million have received the third dose.