Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has successfully rolled out its biggest-ever COVID-19 vaccination campaign to be named among the six countries worldwide with the highest vaccine coverage, D🌊eputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen emphasised on March 7.

The Deputy Minister made the remarks at the launch of the “Safe Journeys” campaign jointly held by UNICEF, WHO and the Ministry of Health in Hanoi. The campaign is aimed at redoubling and reinforcing the importance for all in Vietnam to comply with COVID-19 preventive practices including vaccination.

Weighing second booster dose

From March 8, 2021 to March 6, 2022, Vietnam received more than 219 million doses of vaccine and has administered more than 197.5 million doses. Notably, 100% of the population over 18 has received the first dose, 98.7% the second dose, and 38.45% the third. The rate of children aged 12-17 years who received the first dose is 99%, and that with the second dose is 93.8%. Vietnam is planning to vaccinate children aged 5 to 11 years old and has plans to administer the fourth dose, according to the official. However, since the pandemic remains unpredictable, the Ministry of Health urges every Vietnamese person to join hands in the prevention and control of COVID-19 by getting fully vaccinated as recommended by the health sector and maintaining 5K preventive practices, especially hand sanitizing, wearing masks and avoiding large gatherings, he noted. “Our current spike in COVID-19 cases tells us that the pandemic is not yet over. We need to continue adhering to the preventive measures, including ensuring all are completely vaccinated against COVID-19," said Dr Kidong Park, WHO Representative in Vietnam. Through the ‘Safe Journeys’ campaign, we continue providing accurate and reliable information to maintain this journey of saving lives, preventing hospitalizations and staying healthy while the pandemic ensues." Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Vietnam, said: “UNICEF, along with our partners in the Ministry of Health and WHO, recognises that vaccination combined with preventive practices has proven successful in dramatically reducing the death toll, as well as the number of severe cases." The ‘Safe Journeys’ campaign will extend important information to every corner of Vietnam, particularly to the more vulnerable populations, building confidence in the safety for all ages of the COVID-19 vaccines. “Our goal is to ensure that no one is missed in these efforts, including children aged 5 and above. UNICEF, strongly supported by the Australian Government, will continue to work hand in hand with the MoH to make this happen.”

More than 4.4 million infections

As of March 6, Vietnam had reported more than 4.4 million cases of COVID-19, ranking 21^st out of 225 countries and territories in the caseload, and 134^th𓆉 out 🦋of 225 countries and territories in the number of infections per million people. The death toll stood at 40,813.

Key messages of the campaign will be amplified through TV and radio talk shows, newspaper articles and social media activations in order to ensure information is as accessible as possible. The information will also be translated into the main ethnic languages and sign language. Media, communities and several influencers who reach more vulnerable populations, such as Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 H’Hen Nie, are supporting the information campaign.  Other influencers who are raising their voice in support include Chao Thi Yen, Khang A Tua, and MC Le Huong Giang. The Australian Government supports the campaign as part of its assistance to the COVID-19 prevention in Vietnam, which is provided through UNICEF and includes vaccine rollout, support to vulnerable communities, communication outreach and cold chain reinforcement. TikTok Vietnam will offer crucial support by spreading the campaign across its channels. In addition, Facebook fanpages of UNICEF, MoH, WHO will support the dissemination of the campaign to more than a million combined followers./.