Vietnam’s government agencies are working with COVAX and other partners to speed up the allocation of Covid-19 vaccines for kids.

Vietnam aims to complete vaccination for kids in the second quarter of this year. Photo: The Hanoi Times

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang gave the remarks in a press conference held today [April 21].

According to Hang, the goal is to soon start the vaccination drive for children aged 5-11, which is part of the overall plan for a complete Covid-19 vaccine coverage for the whole population.

At present, the Australian Government is committed to providing 12.8 million doses of Moderna vaccines for Vietnam,  of which the latter has received 4.6 million.

The Netherlands and France have also announced the provision of two million vaccines doses of Moderna and two million of Pfizer, scheduled to be delivered to Vietnam in April.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health are working with international organizations to ensure sufficient supplies of vaccines for children, to complete the vaccination campaign for this population segment within the second quarter,” she concluded.

Vietnam began Covid-19 vaccination for children aged 5-11 on April 14, with 160 sixth graders in the northern Quang Ninh province. 

The country has about 11.8 million children from 5-11 years old eligible for Covid-19 vaccination, the health ministry said, adding that some 3.6 million of these children have recovered from the disease and will be vaccinated three months later.