Hanoi(VNA) - UNICEF Representative in Vietnam Rana Flowers has told the Vietnam NewsAgency that when COVID-19 vaccines become abundant and are approved by theWorld Health Organisation (WHO) for emergency use in children, the UNICEF willdo what it can to help Vietnam access suitable vaccines.

She made the statementduring an inclusive interview with the State-run news agency on the occasion of the actionmonth for children, which is ongoing under the theme of joining hands to ensure children’s rights and protect children in natural disasters andpandemic.

VietnameseGovernment has come up with many child protection measures

Praising theVietnamese Government’s drastic actions and measures to curb the spread ofCOVID-19 and to quickly implement its vaccination drive, starting with prioritisedgroups, Flowers said the Government has made efforts to cooperate with socialand international organisations, including UNICEF, to ensure prompt assistancefor children against COVID-19-related impacts.

According toher, amid social lockdown and distancing, measures have been implemented tosave local children from abuse, violence, accidents and psychological trauma.

The officialstated the UNICEF stands side by side with the Vietnamese Government inprotecting children and women in all circumstances, helping the nation strengthenits psycho-social support for children and families via capacity building andcommunications activities on mental health, psychological support and positiveparenting skills .

The UNICEF isaiding the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to developguidelines and training programmes for social workers during the pandemic toensure that local child protection systems can function properly even during socialdistancing periods.

Maximum assistance for Vietnam to access vaccine sources

Regarding Ministerof Health Nguyen Thanh Long’s announcement on Vietnam’s wish to buy COVID-19 vaccine to vaccinatechildren aged 12 – 18, Flowers congratulated the ministry on its successful negotiationfor the procurement of 31 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which is affirmed by Pfizer to be safe for teenagers.

She took the occasionto recommend that priority should be given to people at the front of thefight against the pandemic like health workers and vulnerable groups such asthe elderly and those with underlying medical conditions.

It is necessaryto follow the Health Ministry’s 5K message – khau trang (face masks), khu khuan(disinfection), khoang cach (distancing), khong tu tap (no gatherings), andkhai bao y te (health declarations) – and to ensure that all children are given regular vaccines under the nation’s extended vaccination programme, sheconcluded./.